Leave Granted for Matrimonial Ceremonies, Deaths, and Ailments - Leave Permissions Granted for Marital, Funeral, and Health Reasons
Hey there! Let's chat about taking time off work: special leave, sick leave, and more! No need to worry about using up your precious vacation days or facing tough limits on how many days off you can take per year. The law's got your back!
Special leave? Sounds like some extra time you need for yourself—and the law agrees. In Germany, employers must provide paid special leave for specific reasons like family events, personal misfortunes, and volunteer activities. Want to know more about what qualifies as special leave? Here's the break-down:
- Weddings (yours, parents', or kids')
- Golden wedding anniversaries for parents
- Childbirth for women
- Family funerals within the immediate family
- Doctor's appointments
- Burglary or fire
- Uninsured traffic accidents
- Caring for a sick child or dependent relative
- Volunteer activities
Cool, right? But, remember, the length of special leave depends on the situation. For a doctor's appointment, you might only need a few hours off, while family events usually warrant the full day. The maximum per event is around 7-10 days, according to our legal bud, Till Bender.
The law covers care for sick children, too. Parents at work can take special leave before receiving child sickness benefit. Your employer will cover your full salary for special leave, while child sickness benefit typically offers 90% of your wage, capped at €1,207.50 (equivalent to a monthly wage of around €3,000). Pro tip: Use up your special leave before resorting to child sickness benefit.
Also, caring for a dependent relative? You've got up to 10 days of special leave per year covered under the Care Time Act. Who qualifies as a dependent relative? Grandparents, parents, in-laws, step-parents, spouses, partners, siblings, their spouses, and your or their grandchildren and children (adopted or foster children included).
Don't forget about volunteer activities, either! If you're heavily involved, it's worth investigating if your employer offers special leave for volunteer work. Some other activities that may qualify for special leave could include educational leave, job applications after termination, or religious observances. But, remember, this depends on your employer's specific policies.
Applying for special leave? Communicate early and directly with your employer to help them find a replacement if needed. Can't give notice ahead of time for unforeseen events like emergencies? A phone call usually suffices. Just be sure to inform your employer as soon as possible to avoid misunderstandings. For doctor's appointments, showing your practice appointment card normally does the trick. But suspicious bosses might ask for a medical certificate or a letter from your doctor. The choice of doctor is yours, according to the expert.
The duration of special leave isn't fundamentally limited. Unfortunately, your boss can't deny your leave just because you had multiple personal events during the year.
So, whether you're dealing with an uninsured traffic accident, a sick child, or simply need a day off for a personal appointment—take advantage of your hard-earned special leave! Just remember to follow your employer's policies and keep those communication lines open.
Stay fabulous, folks!
Incorporating the given words into the provided text:
- For those who prioritize their family, Germany's employment law includes provisions for special leave, allowing individuals to take time off for selected family events like weddings or attending family funerals.
- Beyond the realm of family, employers may also offer special leave for volunteer activities or health-and-wellness initiatives such as workplace-wellness programs or health-and-wellness appointments.
