Fri, Feb 10 2012

EU lengthens parental leave

Tue, Mar 09 2010 10:49 CET

byThe Sofia Echo Staff

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EU lengthens parental leave

Photo: Anelia Nikolova

The European Council has adopted a directive extending workers' rights to parental leave from three to four months for each parent.

At least one of the four months cannot be transferred to the other parent, meaning that it is lost if not taken), encouraging fathers to take the leave, the European Council said in a statement on March 8 2010.

"The new directive seeks to better match professional and family life and to promote gender equality on the labour market," the statement said.

It implements the revised framework agreement on parental leave concluded by the social partners at European level.

Other new elements compared to the existing directive include the clarification that all workers are covered, regardless of the type of their contract (for example, fixed-term, part-time and temporary agency workers).

The new directive also provides for better protection against discrimination and ensures a smoother return to work.

A worker applying for or taking parental leave must not be treated less favourably for doing so.

When returning from parental leave, workers may request changes to their working hours for a limited period. Employers must consider and respond to such requests, taking into account both employers' and workers' needs.

Member states have two years in which to transpose the new directive into national law.

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