Applying for Care Leave: Rules for Short-Term and Long-Term Leave

This article discusses the rules for applying for care leave, including short-term and long-term leave, and how to arrange it to care for your father. You are entitled to care leave to care for your father, depending on the situation. There are different types of care leave: short-term and long-term. Each type has its own rules and conditions. It is important to know what options are available and how to apply for them.

What is short-term care leave?

Short-term care leave is intended for employees who need to provide temporary care to a sick relative, such as a child, partner, parent, friend, or housemate. You are entitled to this leave if you are needed to provide necessary care. In a 12-month period, you can take a maximum of twice your weekly working hours. For example, if you work 32 hours a week, you may apply for up to 64 hours of care leave.

During this leave, your employer pays at least 70% of your salary. If this amount is below the minimum wage, you will receive the minimum wage. It is important to request the care leave in advance from your employer. They can only refuse the request if there is a compelling business interest.

Are you unsure about your situation or rights? Contact your employer or seek help from the informal care office.

What is long-term care leave?

Long-term care leave is intended for informal caregivers who provide care for someone who is seriously ill, dependent, or terminally ill for an extended period. This leave can be taken for situations that last longer than a few days. In a 12-month period, you may take a maximum of six times your weekly working hours. For someone who works 32 hours a week, this amounts to a maximum of 192 hours per year.

It is important to know that long-term care leave is usually unpaid unless there are other agreements in your collective labor agreement (CLA). You usually need to request the leave in writing at least two weeks in advance. Consider the impact on your income and discuss this with your employer.

Do you have questions about applying for care leave or how to combine it with your work?

How do you apply for care leave?

To apply for care leave, you need to consider the type of leave you need: short-term or long-term care leave.

Applying for short-term care leave

• This leave is for necessary care for a sick relative, such as a child, partner, or parent.
• You are entitled to a maximum of twice your weekly working hours in a 12-month period. For example, if you work 32 hours a week, you can take a maximum of 64 hours.
• You request this leave in advance from your employer. They can only refuse it for a compelling business interest.
• During this leave, your employer pays at least 70% of your salary.

Applying for long-term care leave

• This leave is intended for more intensive care that lasts longer than a few days.
• You can take a maximum of six times your weekly working hours in 12 months. For someone who works 32 hours a week, that is a maximum of 192 hours.
• This leave is usually unpaid, so think carefully about the consequences for your income.
• You usually need to request the leave in writing at least two weeks in advance.

Have you thought about what type of care leave you need?

Can your employer refuse the leave?

Yes, your employer can refuse care leave requests under certain conditions. For short-term care leave, you are entitled to leave if you are needed to care for a sick relative. You may take this leave a maximum of twice your weekly working hours in a 12-month period. You request this leave in advance from your employer. They may only refuse it for a compelling business interest.

For long-term care leave, which is intended for more intensive care, you usually need to request the leave in writing at least two weeks in advance. This leave is often unpaid, and your employer can also refuse it here, but that must be well justified.

If you are unsure about your situation or rights, it is wise to inquire with your employer or the informal care office. Have you thought about applying for care leave?

What does the CLA say about care leave?

The CLA may contain specific agreements about care leave, both for short-term and long-term care leave.

Short-term care leave is intended for necessary care for a sick relative, such as a child, partner, or parent. You are entitled to a maximum of twice your weekly working hours in a 12-month period. If you work 32 hours a week, that is a maximum of 64 hours per year. During this leave, your employer pays at least 70% of your salary, or the minimum wage if that is lower. You request this leave in advance from your employer, who can only refuse it for a compelling business interest.

Long-term care leave is for situations where you need to provide care for a longer period. You can take a maximum of six times your weekly working hours in 12 months. This leave is usually unpaid unless there are other agreements in the CLA. You usually need to request this leave in writing at least two weeks in advance.

Think carefully about the consequences for your income when applying for care leave. If you have questions about your situation or rights, contact your employer or the informal care office.

What are the next steps?

To apply for care leave, follow these steps:

Short-term care leave:

• This leave is for necessary care for a sick relative, such as a child, partner, parent, friend, or housemate.
• You are entitled to a maximum of twice your weekly working hours in a 12-month period. If you work 32 hours a week, that is a maximum of 64 hours per year.
• You request the leave in advance from your employer. They may only refuse it for a compelling business interest.
• During this leave, your employer pays at least 70% of your salary.

Long-term care leave:

• This leave is for more intensive care for someone who is seriously ill. You can take a maximum of six times your weekly working hours in 12 months. For a 32-hour workweek, that is a maximum of 192 hours per year.
• You usually need to request the leave in writing at least two weeks in advance.
• This leave is generally unpaid, but check your CLA for any other agreements.

Think carefully about the consequences for your income and discuss this with your employer. If you have questions about your situation or rights, contact your employer or the informal care office. What would you like to know about applying for care leave?