Add Comment Question: My friend started working as a Recreation coordinator at a retirement home on a Maternity Leave cover (12 months contract) in August 2017. The woman she's covering for, decided not to come back so my friend was offered the job on a permanent basis. In June 2019 the company was sold and in Septmber 2019, my friend was let go without cause. She was given 2 weeks' termination pay and 2 additional weeks of pay. Does her first year when she was on a contract count towards her entitlement for severance? Answer: Thank you for your question. My name is Jon Pinkus and I am an employment lawyer with Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. In answer to your question, yes, the time that your friend worked on a maternity leave contract would count towards her entitlement for severance. To find out how much your friend may be owed, please visit www.severancepaycalculator.com. Your Comment * Your Email * Your Name * Your City Note, your name, city and email is not displayed on the website. It is used to notify you that we have approved your comment.