Germany drafts law to combine work and care

Germany's federal government is drafting a new law that promotes home care for dependants.

The Home Care Act aims to provide employees with the option to combine work with home care for dependants. Under the Act, employees will also be entitled to obtain authorised leave for short periods if the dependent requires immediate care.

Employed family members of individuals in need of care will also have the right to be released from all, or part, of their work duties for up to six months to provide home care over an extended period of time. This entitlement applies per individual relative in need of care and not per employee.

The draft Act does not, however, provide any obligations for the employer to grant paid time off for employees to care for dependants, although employees who exercise the right to take time off for home care will be protected against dismissal.