Germany – Better reconciliation of family, care and work

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The conditions for the reconciliation of long-term care and work have significantly improved since the beginning of 2015. A new federal law provides statutory rights to care leave and/or to reduced working hours up to 24 months, with a guaranteed right of return from temporary part-time to full-time work. Employees who take up this scheme can claim a credit-financed benefit. In addition, employees are entitled to short-term care-leave up to ten working days in a year. The loss of income is compensated by an earnings replacement benefit amounting to 90 per cent of the last net monthly salary.

Author: Gerhard Bäcker