Caring for relatives: Employees have these rights

A loved one becomes in need of care – this life event hits many people unexpectedly and can initially overwhelm them. Working people in particular then have to see how they can balance job and care. The good news: Employees are legally entitled to care leave. Depending on the situation, there are a number of different ways to cut back on your job and be protected from dismissal. There is also financial support from nursing care funds and the state. For some models, however, a few requirements must be met.

The so-called short-term absence from work releases employees for up to ten working days. If an urgent need for care occurs, those affected have the opportunity to organize care first. Employers have to release their employees for this, but can request a certificate stating that there is really a need for care. There does not necessarily have to be a level of care, but the doctor should certify a need for care that is equivalent to level 1.

Some employers voluntarily continue to pay wages in this situation. All other employees can apply for care support allowance from the care recipient’s care fund for the period of absence. The amount is 90 percent of the lost net salary. The care support allowance can also be divided between several carers if they take turns providing care within the ten days.

Anyone who determines that they will be providing care at home for a longer or permanent period can apply for so-called care leave. It allows employees to be absent from work in whole or in part for a period of up to six months to care for a relative. Here too, at least care level 1 is the requirement. However, from a legal point of view, only companies with 15 employees or more are obliged to grant care leave. Employees must give at least ten days’ advance notice of their care leave.

In order to make ends meet, carers can apply for an interest-free loan from the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks (BAFzA). Employees are paid the money in installments and pay it back in installments. In cases of hardship, the state postpones the repayment deadline or forgives the loan entirely. Using an online calculator, those affected can calculate how high their loan installment would be and what installment they would have to repay later. Free advice is also available on the nursing telephone number 030 20 17 91 31.

Another option for caring for relatives at home is what is known as family care leave. Employees can take leave of absence for up to 24 months, for example after the six-month care period, but also from the outset if desired. There may not be a break between care leave and family care leave and employees must notify their employer of the family care leave at least eight weeks in advance.

However, employees are not allowed to miss work completely, but must continue to work for at least 15 hours per week. The state wants to prevent nurses from giving up their jobs completely to provide care. The catch: Only employees of companies with 25 or more employees are entitled to family care leave. Another requirement here is that the person in need of care must have care level 1. Just as with the care leave, those affected can also apply for an interest-free loan from the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks (BAFzA) for the family care leave.

Sometimes the health of a loved one suddenly deteriorates dramatically or a cancer diagnosis heralds the final phase of life. If a relative is dying, employees are allowed to take three months off to spend time with the loved one. In such difficult moments, employees do not have to demonstrate a level of care and do not have to care for the relative themselves.

It is also possible to take time out to support a relative in the hospice. Employees are allowed to take a complete break or go part-time for up to three months. You must inform your employer at least ten days in advance that you wish to provide end-of-life care. But there is one hurdle even in this case: a legal claim only exists for employers with more than 15 employees.