Entitlement to parental leave

Each parent is generally entitled to parental leave to care for and raise their child until the child reaches the age of three. During parental leave, the employee's main obligations under the employment contract are suspended. Afterwards, the employee is entitled to return to work.

Since 1 July 2015, the regulations on parental leave have become more flexible. Each parent can transfer 24 months of parental leave to the period between the third birthday and the child's eighth birthday instead of the previous 12 months. The employer's consent is no longer required.

In addition, each parent can divide the entire parental leave into three periods. However, the employee must observe the notification period of 13 weeks before the start of parental leave.

Part-time employment during parental leave

After the birth of their child, employees are allowed to Parental leave and apply to the employer twice for a reduction in working hours during parental leave.

 

Protection against dismissal during parental leave

The protection against dismissal begins with the notification of parental leave. For parental leave between the third birthday and the child's eighth birthday, protection against dismissal applies at the earliest 14 weeks before the start of parental leave.