Grants granted for absences due to weddings, deceased loved ones, and health issues. - Grant for Time Off: Marital, Funeral, and Ill-Health Exemptions
In the Loop: All About Paid Time Off for Special Occasions, Health Appointments, and Family Emergencies
by Nina Jerzy⏱️ 3 Min
When push comes to shove, most people think of special leave for serious situations, like the death of a loved one. But did you know that this paid time off from work is also offered for joyous occasions and everyday appointments—without having to sacrifice your precious vacation days? And guess what? There's no limit to how many days you can take off in a year.
But wait, there's a catch! Special leave can get complicated, warns a lawyer. So, it's essential to understand when and how you can take advantage of this perk.
What's the Score?
The law dictates that special leave is granted for big family events, tough breaks, and personal health matters. However, your employer or collective agreement might have specific rules or regulations that override the law. In the absence of such guidelines, your legal claim applies, according to the lawyer.
When's the Party?
Courts have identified several scenarios where special leave applies:
- Your big day!
- Your child or parent's wedding
- Your parents' golden anniversary
- Childbirth for the wife
- Funerals for immediate family
- Doctor's appointments
- House emergencies like burglary or fire
- Uninsured traffic accidents
The length of special leave varies on the situation. For a doctor's visit, a couple of hours might do. For family events, it's usually the entire day of the occasion, not just the ceremony itself. The maximum leave per event is around seven to ten days, says the union lawyer.
Special leave is also available for employees who care for a sick child or dependent. In this case, it's better to use special leave before receiving child sickness benefit. That way, you'll get your full salary, while child sickness benefit usually offers 90% of your wages, capped at around €120.75 per day (which equals a monthly wage of around €3,000). Employees can also claim up to 15 days per year per parent, or 30 days for single parents, from their health insurance.
The Care Time Act allows employees to take up to ten days of paid special leave to care for a dependent relative in an emergency. Close relatives include:
- grandparents, parents, in-laws, step-parents
- spouses, partners, siblings, and their spouses
- grandchildren and children, whether adopted or foster (your own or your partner's)
Special leave can also be granted for some volunteer activities. If you're deeply involved in charitable work or civic duty, it's worth finding out if you're eligible for paid leave—it could make a world of difference!
Making Your Move
Always inform your employer as soon as possible when requesting special leave, so they can arrange substitute coverage, if needed. In unexpected situations like fires or accidents, a phone call should suffice, advises the lawyer. However, it's important to make the call promptly to give your employer time to organize and avoid confusion.
For doctor's appointments, informing your employer or presenting your appointment card is usually enough, says the lawyer. However, if your boss seems suspicious, you might need a medical certificate or a letter from your doctor. Your boss is not allowed to require you to find a doctor after hours.
Proof might be necessary if you've been absent due to an unavoidable traffic accident. Your employer has the right to request police records or correspondence with your insurance company. If you were at fault, the wages already paid to you can be recovered. But most companies don't bother with that, the lawyer explains.
Unlike sick leave, special leave has no set duration. "The employer cannot say, for example, 'You got married and your father passed away this year, so I won't grant leave for your sister's wedding!'," the lawyer explains.
Keeping it Real
German law offers support and flexibility to employees during challenging times. Employer policies and collective agreements may provide additional options, giving you even more wiggle room when it comes to managing your work and personal life.
- Special Leave
- Work-Life Balance
- Flexibility
- Dependent Care
- Health Appointments
- In the event of significant family events such as weddings, anniversaries, or childbirth, individuals are entitled to take special leave from their employment, as long as it doesn't conflict with any employer or collective agreement guidelines.
- Beyond family matters, special leave can also be applied for emergencies involving housing issues like burglary or fire, uninsured traffic accidents, and even some volunteer activities. However, it's essential to communicate these requests promptly to one's employer for appropriate arrangement of substitute coverage.
