Everything you need to know about corona parental leave

Who is entitled to corona parental leave?

To be entitled to corona parental leave, the employee must have been employed by their employer for a minimum of one month. That is significantly more lenient than standard parental leave, for which the employee must have been employed by their employer for a minimum of 12 months.

The employee must also have at least one dependent child who has not yet reached the age of 12. The measure applies to children with a disability up to the age of 21. Adoptive parents and foster parents are also entitled to corona parental leave.

How can I take corona parental leave?

The employee can opt for 1/5-time parental leave, but must do so on a full-time basis. The employee can alternatively opt for 1/2-time parental leave, providing they work at least 75 percent. Unlike standard parental leave, a full-time break from work is not possible with corona parental leave.
The leave can be taken in a continuous period until the measure’s expiration, or in months or weeks, consecutively or otherwise.

How can I apply for corona parental leave?

Those wishing to take corona parental leave must notify their employer at least three days in advance. The employer must still give their approval. A shorter term can also be agreed upon mutual consent.

Already taking parental leave? Then you have two options. You can either have the current parental leave converted into corona parental leave, or you can temporarily suspend your current parental leave and request corona parental leave instead. Here, too, the employer's consent is required. Taking corona parental leave has no impact on the balance of your standard parental leave entitlement. It is therefore offered in addition to your existing entitlements.

How long is this measure valid?

Corona parental leave can be taken between 1 May and 30 June 2020.

Is corona parental leave financially advantageous?

The Cabinet has decided to increase the current parental leave amounts by 25 percent. Converting your current parental leave into corona parental leave is therefore advantageous from a financial perspective.
The following calculations are based on standard parental leave. Corona parental leave is thus 25 percent higher:

• Under 50 and a (legally) cohabiting parent: 1/5 = net amount of 119.68 euros, 1/2 = net amount of 352.77 euros.
• Over 50 and a (legally) cohabiting parent: 1/5 = net amount of 179.52 euros, 1/2 = net amount of 475.58 euros.
• Single parent: 1/5 = net amount of 231.98 euros, 1/2 = net amount of 579.95 euros.

The amounts for half-time parental leave apply to full-time employees and are reduced pro rata for part-time employees.

Are there any other alternatives?

In addition to the new corona parental leave, other solutions obviously exist for combining working from home and caring for young children. Alternatives include taking annual holiday leave, time credit, unpaid leave or leave on compelling personal grounds.

Should you have any questions pertaining to corona parental leave, then please contact your account manager or one of our specialists via corona@vdl.be.