Pharmaceutical industry
Merck grants ten extra days to care for relatives
When parents, children or partners become seriously ill, it puts a lot of strain on family members. The pharmaceutical company is now introducing a program for employees globally. The topic is not completely regulated by law.
The pharmaceutical and technology group Merck wants to support employees worldwide when they care for seriously ill family members. With a new program, the DAX-listed company is giving employees at least ten days of financially secure leave for care, Merck announced in Darmstadt. It will be gradually rolled out in all markets in which the company operates over the next twelve months.
The program is aimed at employees who need to care for “immediate family members in a critical health condition,” such as parents, children or life partners, said the company, which employs around 63,000 people in 65 countries. A company spokeswoman explained that this is not necessarily about full wage compensation, but rather about financial security, which is still being determined locally.
“Topic becoming increasingly important in an aging society”
Merck is not alone in providing financial security for caring employees, says Ernesto Klengel, Scientific Director at the Hugo Sinzheimer Institute for Labor and Social Law at the Hans Böckler Foundation. Given the global demands, the program is progressive and provides important security for caring employees.
“It is not always predictable that a loved one will need exceptional care and any of us can suddenly find ourselves in such a situation,” said Merck boss Belén Garijo. That’s why we want to relieve employees of at least one worry so that they can concentrate on their families in such times.
The company spokeswoman explained that nothing will change for Merck employees in Germany for the time being. In this country there is already a legal entitlement with the Care Leave Act, which allows leave of up to ten days. Merck pays the full salary for the first two days, and the nursing care insurance fund covers the remaining eight days with restrictions.
But things are often different abroad. Employees there could stay away from work to care for relatives – but sometimes completely unpaid. “In an aging society, the topic is becoming increasingly important.”
Regulations in collective agreements – but legal leeway
“Caring for close relatives is a major problem for many employees due to the precarious supply in the care sector and the growing need,” said expert Klengel. Opportunities for exemption are usually found in nationwide collective agreements. In the metal and electrical industries there is an option to convert salary components into days off to care for relatives. The topic is also partly regulated in company agreements.
The right to short-term exemption from working hours for care is guaranteed by law in Germany, said Klengel. But: “The legal situation surrounding remuneration during this time is not yet fully legally secured.” According to the prevailing legal opinion, a claim to compensation should cover exactly ten days.
dpa
Source: Stern
