The evolution of parental leave

The latest amendment made to the Labour Code introduces significant simplifications to parental rights. It changes the persons who are entitled to parental leave and how certain parts of parental leave are used. Additional maternity leave is now absorbed by parental leave. The legislature has extended the period of the leave until the child reaches the age of 6, which directly affects theamount of the parental leave. Therefore currently parental leave has now become more akin with child care leave. The Labour Code has also introduced the potential to proportionally extend parental leave in connection with the employee's annual leave at the same employer. Parental leave is granted at the written request of the employee submitted no less than 21 days before the commencement of the leave. The employee may opt out of the use of parental leave at any time with the consent of the employer and return to work. An employee benefiting from parental leave retains all employee's rights beyond the right to remuneration, which is replaced with the relevant provision of social insurance (maternity allowance). The Employee under parental leave is also protected against employment termination.