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Parental leave

This policy document outlines the parental leave entitlements for Respellion. The policy is aligned with the current Dutch regulations as stipulated in the Work and Care Act (Wet Arbeid en Zorg).

Maternity Leave

Entitlement

Female employees are entitled to 16 weeks of fully paid maternity leave. For multiple births (e.g., twins or triplets), this is extended to 20 weeks.

Breakdown of Maternity Leave

  • Pregnancy Leave (Zwangerschapsverlof): 4-6 weeks before the expected due date
  • Maternity Leave (Bevallingsverlof): 10-12 weeks after ## childbirth

Important Points

  • It is mandatory to take at least 4 weeks of leave before the expected due date.
  • If an employee chooses to take less than 6 weeks before the due date, the remaining days will be added to the maternity leave period.
  • If the baby is born later than the due date, the period between the due date and the actual birth date is added to the total leave period.
  • If the employee becomes ill due to pregnancy before maternity leave is due to start, maternity leave may automatically commence 6 weeks before the estimated delivery date.
  • If the baby is hospitalized immediately after birth, maternity leave starts the day after the mother and baby leave the hospital.
  • During maternity leave, employees receive 100% of their salary.
  • Employees must inform their employer about their intention to take maternity leave at least 3 weeks in advance.
  • Holiday hours continue to accrue during maternity leave.

Partner/Paternity Leave

Entitlement

Partners (including same-sex partners) of women who have given birth are entitled to:

  • 1 week (5 working days) of fully paid birth leave (geboorteverlof)
  • 5 weeks of additional birth leave (aanvullend geboorteverlof) at 70% of their salary

Important Points

  • The initial 1 week of leave must be taken within the first 4 weeks after the birth.
  • The additional 5 weeks must be taken within the first 6 months after the birth.
  • The additional leave can be taken all at once or spread out over the 6-month period.
  • To take the additional leave, employees must submit a request via the regular leave request procedure at least 4 weeks in advance.
  • Employers can only adjust the timing if the leave would cause serious organizational problems, and must finalize any changes no later than 2 weeks before the scheduled leave.
  • During the additional leave, the UWV pays 70% of the employee's salary (up to the maximum daily wage).
  • Holiday hours continue to accrue during partner leave.

Parental Leave

General Information

  • Parental leave is available for all employees who are parents or legal guardians of children under the age of 8.
  • Each parent is entitled to 26 times their weekly working hours of parental leave per child.
  • For example, an employee working 40 hours per week is entitled to 1,040 hours (26 × 40) of parental leave per child.
  • Parental leave applies to each child separately. For multiple births or adoptions, the entitlement applies to each child.
  • Parents with a "family relationship" with the child (biological parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, and step-parents who live with and take care of the child) are eligible.

Unpaid Parental Leave

  • Unpaid parental leave can be taken until the child reaches the age of 8 years.
  • The leave can be taken in one block or spread out over time.
  • No vacation hours are accumulated over the unpaid parental leave.
  • If an employee falls ill during parental leave, the leave continues as normal.
  • Employees should discuss how they wish to implement the leave with the people officer at least 2 months before the desired start date.
  • Of the total 26 weeks of parental leave, 9 weeks can be taken as paid parental leave.
  • The paid leave must be used before the child reaches the age of 1 year.
  • During paid parental leave, the employee receives a benefit of 70% of their daily wage.
  • This benefit is applied for by the employer to the UWV and the salary is adjusted accordingly.
  • The benefit can only be applied for entire work weeks.
  • Vacation hours are accumulated over the paid parental leave.
  • All other conditions that apply to unpaid parental leave also apply to paid parental leave.

Application Process

For Maternity Leave

  1. The employee must inform the people officer of their pregnancy and intended maternity leave at least 3 weeks before the leave is to start (preferably earlier).
  2. The employee must provide a pregnancy declaration letter (zwangerschapsverklaring) from their midwife or gynecologist.
  3. The employer will complete a WAZO form (maternity and childbirth benefit form) and send it to the UWV.

For Partner/Paternity Leave

  1. For the initial week of leave, the employee should notify their employer as soon as possible after the birth.
  2. For the additional 5 weeks, the employee must submit a request via the regular leave request procedure at least 4 weeks in advance## .

For Parental Leave

  1. The employee must submit a written request via the regular leave request procedure at least 2 months before the desired start date.
  2. The request should specify how they wish to take the leave (all at once or spread out).
  3. After consultation, the employer will confirm the leave arrangements in writing.

For Adoption or Foster Care Leave

  1. The employee must notify their employer at least 3 weeks before they want the leave to start.
  2. The employee should indicate whether they want to take their leave all at once or spread it out.

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