Taking Time Off: A Comprehensive Guide to Special Leave, Bereavement, and Illness in the Workplace
- by Nina Jerzy
- 3 Min Read
Leave Granted for Weddings, Funerals, and Illnesses: A Closer Look at Eligible Situations for Time Off - Leave Allowances for Marriage, Funerals, and Illnesses
When it comes to taking time off work, many people think of extreme circumstances such as the death of a loved one. But did you know that special leave isn't just for dramatic events? In fact, you can also take paid time off for a wide range of reasons - from joyous occasions to routine appointments, all without dipping into your precious vacation days. And the best part? There's no upper limit on how many days you can get paid to stay home!
Covered by law, special leave is all about family events and personal misfortunes. "Special leave is both a legal right and an employer's obligation when they occur," explains Till Bender from DGB Rechtsschutz GmbH, a law firm specializing in employee protection. But be warned, when it comes to special leave, things can get complicated.
What Qualifies as Special Leave?
While an endless summer wedding might sound ideal, taking a week off for a single event might not be feasible. According to Bender, the duration of special leave depends on the reason. "For a routine check-up, a few hours may be enough," he says. "For weddings, it's usually one day. But in special cases, like a family emergency, it could extend up to 7-10 days."
Special leave can cover a wide range of scenarios, including:
- Personal wedding ceremonies or those of children or parents
- The golden wedding anniversary of parents
- The birth of a child
- Funerals within the immediate family
- Routine doctor's appointments
- Home repairs following a burglary or fire
- Car accidents when uninsured
When Do Employees Qualify for Special Leave?
Besides the above situations, special leave can be taken for those caring for a sick child or for a dependent relative. If both parents work, Bender recommends using special leave before receiving child sickness benefits to ensure full pay. Child sickness benefits typically offer 90% of the wage, capped at €120.75 per day (equivalent to a monthly wage of around €3,000). Additionally, employees can claim up to 15 days per year per parent or 30 days for single parents from their health insurance.
In acute situations, the Care Time Act allows up to 10 days of paid special leave to care for a dependent relative. Close relatives, according to Bender, include grandparents, parents, in-laws, spouses, partners, siblings, grandchildren, adopted or foster children, and more.
Special leave can also be granted for some volunteer activities or in cases of civic duties, job applications, or prayers. Each case is unique, so it's always best to check with your employer.
Requesting Special Leave
When requesting special leave, it's crucial to inform your employer as early as possible. This gives them enough time to find coverage if needed. In the case of unexpected events, a phone call might suffice, provided it's made as soon as possible.
For routine doctor's appointments, simply notifying your employer or showing them an appointment card might be sufficient. However, if your supervisor is suspicious, a doctor's note or a letter may be required. Your boss cannot force you to find a doctor with evening hours, stresses Bender.
In the case of unprovoked accidents, your employer has the right to request police records or correspondence with the insurance company. If it's discovered that you caused the accident, your already paid wages may be claimed back. However, many companies don't pursue this.
Unlike sick leave, there's no set duration for special leave. "Your employer can't refuse your request to take a day off for your sister's wedding!" Bender explains.
In Germany, the laws and regulations surrounding special leave provide employees with the necessary flexibility to handle life's ups and downs without compromising their job security. It's always best to consult with your employer and understand their policies to navigate the world of special leave effectively.
- Special Leave
- Employee Rights
- Paid Time Off
- Work-Life Balance
Enrichment Data:
Overview:Special leave in Germany is an employee's legal right that covers a range of personal and family events, as well as illnesses and other circumstances. This includes parental leave, carer's leave, sick leave, and additional leave for special occasions.
1. Parental Leave- Maternity leave lasts 14 weeks, including 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth, with premiums covered by the employer and health insurance.- Parental leave can extend up to 36 months per child, which parents can split as needed.
2. Carer's Leave- Employees can take 10 working days off to care for a sick family member without notice, which may be covered by a care support allowance from long-term care insurance.
3. Sick Leave- Employees can take paid sick leave with a doctor's note, and employers cannot refuse sick leave.
4. Additional Leave- Special leave for events such as weddings, moving, or bereavement may be offered by employers through collective agreements or company policies.- Annual leave, statutory in Germany, provides at least 20 days of paid leave that does not carry over to the next year unless agreed upon by the employer.
5. Public Holidays- In addition to annual leave, employees are entitled to paid leave on Germany's nine national public holidays and any additional state-specific holidays.
Legal Framework:- The German Federal Leave Act (Bundesurlaubsgesetz) governs annual leave.- The Federal Parental Leave and Parental Allowance Act (Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz) regulates parental leave.- The Social Security Code (Sozialgesetzbuch) and employment contracts often dictate sick and carer's leave provisions.
- The duration of special leave depends on the reason, with routine check-ups requiring a few hours and a family emergency potentially extending up to 7-10 days.
- Special leave in Germany covers a wide range of scenarios, including personal weddings, funerals within the immediate family, and doctor's appointments.
- For employees caring for a sick child or dependent relative, special leave is available, and it's often recommended to use this leave before receiving child sickness benefits.
- In addition to special leave, employees in Germany are entitled to annual leave, which is paid and doesn't carry over to the next year unless agreed upon by the employer.
