Yes, increment dates are postponed by all leaves of absence except the following:

• leaves of absence less than six months;
• leaves of absence without pay to work for another government department, board or agency;
• maternity leave; and
• adoption leave.

An increment postponed by a leave of absence is due when the employee returns to work and completes a year of paid full-time employment from the effective date of the last increment. This includes the periods of service before and after the absence.

For example, if the last increment you received was on June 1, 2010 then September 1, 2010 you went on a leave of absence to return to university for eight months, returning to work May 1, 2011 your next increment would be delayed until you had completed the remaining nine months of service (June through August = three months; May through January 31, 2012=nine months).  You would be eligible for the next increment February 1, 2012.