France: French Parliament Currently Examining the Possibility for Employees to Benefit up to 4 Extra Months’ Time Off to Look After Newborn Children
The envisaged new “baby leave” would entitle each parent to take an additional 2 months off in addition to the existing maternity and paternity leaves for children born after July 1st 2027.
As part of the current review of the annual social security finance law, the French government has proposed allowing mothers and fathers to be able to benefit from up to 2 months’ time off to care for their newborn children.
Each parent could take the leave at the same time or one after the other resulting in a total of 4 months’ time off to look after their newborn child. The first month would be paid 70% of the net salary and the second month at 60%.
By when such leave could be taken would be determined by decree and may depend on various circumstances such as whether it is a multiple birth, the number of children already in the household, the mother and child’s state of health.
As is the case for the maternity or paternity leave, the employee will be protected against dismissal during such leave except in case of serious misconduct or impossibility to maintain the employment contract for reasons unrelated to the birth of the child.
Key Action Points for Human Resources and In-House Counsel
Identify how this new leave may impact your maternity/paternity leave policies.
