After a year’s work, MPs voted on Tuesday afternoon on a draft bill that turns a European directive into national law. This bill on “work-life balance for parents and carers” stipulates two new forms of leave:
It should be noted that a doctor’s certificate is required for carer’s leave. The new leave days will not be available to civil servants since they already have more advantageous social leave.
However, urgent leave is available without justification for both employees and civil servants.
The government will cover 50% of the costs associated with both forms of leave, which can be split into several hours if necessary. Employees must inform their employer “orally or in writing” by the day of the leave at the latest.
In addition to the two forms of leave, the bill also retains access to “flexible working arrangements” for employees who are the parents of a child under the age of nine or the carer of a close relative (within the first degree of kinship, i.e. partner, parents, and children) who needs “care or assistance”.
Provided they have been with their employer for at least six months, these “flexible” arrangements provide “the possibility for the employee to adjust their working arrangements, including through the use of teleworking, flexible working hours, or a reduction in working time” for up to one year.
Nevertheless, once the request has been made, employers have one month to respond and can accept, refuse, or postpone the request. If accepted, the employee can also ask to return to their usual work schedule earlier than planned. Once again, the employer will have the ultimate decision.
