Leave for sick child in Germany. If your child is unwell and you’re seeking guidance on sick leave in Germany, here’s what you need to know about the rights of parents in the workforce. We outline the process of obtaining sick leave, the eligibility criteria, and the benefits available to parents during this period.
Leave for sick child in Germany
Single parents often encounter a unique challenge when their child falls ill, as they are typically the sole caregiver. Similarly, when both parents are employed, one partner must arrange time off work to care for the sick child.
Read also: What rights do immigrant parents in Germany have for taking care of their children after divorce?
In Germany, the amount of time off you can take depends on your child’s age and the number of children you have. Each parent has 10 working days off per calendar year to care for a sick child under 12 years old. Single mothers or fathers can take up to 20 days off per calendar year. If there are multiple children under 12 in the family, parents can take up to 25 working days off. Single parents can take a maximum of 50 days off per year.
Sick leave for children under certain conditions
As per the Federal Labor Court ruling, parents in Germany can take up to 5 consecutive days off work to care for a sick child, as reported by “Merkur”. This right applies only to children under 12 years old and when there’s no other caregiver available at home. For instance, if the child’s grandmother lives in the household and can provide care, the right to leave doesn’t apply. When the child is over 12 years old, parents can still take leave if there are no alternative care options available.
Read also: Students to Enjoy Free Nationwide Travel with Deutschlandticket – Starting August!
A call from school that your child is sick. What rights does a parent have?
If you need to fetch your child from school or kindergarten unexpectedly, you can benefit from the provisions of §616 BGB. This allows for brief absences from work without financial penalties due to unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, it’s important to inform your employer of your absence as soon as possible. Additionally, like in the case of your own illness, you should provide a medical certificate confirming your child’s illness on the first day of absence.
When it comes to sickness benefit while caring for a sick child, the employer is not required to provide payment for days off. In this scenario, the health insurance fund may offer Kinderkrankengeld benefit, typically ranging from 70% of gross salary to 90% of net salary. However, some employers may offer full salary payment for a specific duration. If this is the case, you are not eligible for sickness benefit from the insurer