PARENTAL LEAVE AND CARERS LEAVE: INTERNATIONAL PROVISION AND RESEARCH
Appendix 6: Statutory entitlements for taking Parental Leave flexibly, or for flexible working
Reduced hours First year Later |
Parental leave flexible options | Right to request flexible work | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | x | x | √ until CSA | |
| Austria | 2, 5 | |||
| Belgium | 1, 2, | |||
|
Canada Quebec |
x x |
x x |
3,5 |
x |
| Czech Rep. | x | x | 1,4 | x |
| Denmark | x | x | 1,3 | x |
| Estonia | √√√ | √√√ until 1 ½ | 1,4 | x |
| Finland | x | √√ until 8 | 1,2,6 | x |
| France | x | x | 1,5 | x |
| Germany | x | x | 1,3,5,6 | x |
| Greece | √√√ | √√√ until 2 ½ | 2,5,6 | x |
| Hungary | √√√ | x | 4,6 | x |
| Iceland | x | √ until 8 | 2,5,6 | x |
| Ireland | √√√ | x | 5,6 | x |
| Italy | √√√ | x | 5,6 | √ until CSA |
| Netherlands | All employees are entitled to work part time | 2*, 6 | x | |
| Norway | √√√ | √ until 10 | 3,6 | x |
| Portugal | √√√ | x | 1,5 | x |
| Slovenia | √√√ | √ until 3 | 1,4,5,6 | x |
| Spain | √√√ | √ | 2 | x |
| Sweden | x | √ until 8 | 1,2,5,6 | x |
| United Kingdom | x | x | 5 | √ until child is 6 |
| United States | x | x | x | x |
Source: Table 2 published in Moss and O'Brien (2006:56).
Key:
x - no statutory entitlement;
√ - statutory entitlement but unpaid;
√√ - statutory entitlement, paid either at low flat rate or earnings-related at less than 50 percent of earnings or not universal or for less than the full period of leave;
√√√ - statutory entitlement, paid to all parents at more than 50% or earnings (in most cases up to a maximum ceiling).
CSA - compulsory school age
Reduced hours in first year: mainly refers to entitlement to take a regular break related to breastfeeding
Reduced hours later: mainly refers to entitlement to work reduced hours or to take periods of annual leave, after the end of Parental leave. Covers regular reduction of hours (e.g. excludes right to take time off to visit child's school, as in Portugal.
Parental leave flexible options:
1 = leave can be taken full time or part time;
2 = leave can be taken in one block or several blocks of time;
3 = leave can be taken for a shorter period with higher benefit payment or for longer period with lower benefit payment;
4 = leave can be transferred to non-parent;
5 = leave can be taken at any time until a child reaches a certain age;
6 = other, mainly additional leave in case of multiple births
Right to request flexible work: employer is not required to grant request