info@daddylife.gr
The first Greek site for dads

Maternity, Paternity, and Parental Leave in the Private Sector: Rights, Financial Benefits, and Everything You Need to Know

29/08/2024

Welcoming a child is one of the most significant moments in any family's life, but it can come with challenges regarding balancing professional and family life. For working parents in the private sector in Greece, understanding their rights concerning maternity, paternity, and parental leave, as well as the corresponding financial benefits, is crucial. Let's take a detailed look at what Greek law provides for each type of leave and the associated financial benefits.

1. Maternity Leave: Duration and Financial Benefits

Maternity leave, which includes pregnancy and postnatal leave, lasts for a total of 17 weeks (8 weeks before and 9 weeks after childbirth).

Financial Benefits:

  • Insurance Fund: Working mothers receive 50% of their salary from their insurance fund (e.g., EFKA) during the maternity leave period, based on their salary from the last 30 days before the leave.
  • Employer: The employer is required to pay the difference between the amount paid by the insurance fund and the full salary for the first 15 days for employees with less than 10 years of service and for the first 30 days for those with more than 10 years of service.

Important: The financial benefits of maternity leave do not affect the right of female employees to full pay or bonuses during their leave.

2. Paternity Leave: Duration and Financial Benefits

Paternity leave lasts for 14 working days and can be taken consecutively or in parts, depending on the father's needs.

Financial Benefits:

  • Employer: Fathers receive full pay from their employer for the entire duration of the paternity leave.

Note: Paternity leave is granted regardless of the employee's length of service with the same employer and is provided without any salary reductions.

3. Childcare Leave: Duration and Financial Benefits

Childcare leave allows parents to work reduced hours for up to 30 months after the end of maternity leave or special maternity protection benefits.

Financial Benefits:

  • Employer: During childcare leave, the employer pays full salary for the reduced working hours chosen by the employee.

Information: Childcare leave provides flexibility for parents to adjust their working hours without a loss of income.

4. Special Maternity Protection Benefits: Duration and Financial Benefits

Special maternity protection benefits last for 6 months after the end of maternity leave and childcare leave.

Financial Benefits:

  • OAED (Greek Manpower Employment Organization): During this leave, the mother receives a benefit equal to the minimum wage (plus Christmas and Easter bonus proportions) from OAED.
  • Employer: There is no obligation for the employer to pay a salary during the special maternity protection leave.

Important: The amount granted by OAED is independent of other financial benefits that the working mother may receive.

5. Parental Leave: Duration and Financial Benefits

Parental leave, which can be taken up to 4 months per child until the age of 8, is unpaid.

Financial Benefits:

  • State: As of January 1, 2024, parents taking parental leave are entitled to a monthly allowance of 360 euros for a period of 2 months, provided that the employer does not cover these days with pay.
  • Insurance Fund: There are no additional benefits from the insurance funds for parental leave.

Information: Parental leave is designed to provide parents with the necessary time with their children without any financial burden on the employer.

6. Right to Leave for Reasons of Force Majeure: Duration and Financial Benefits

Parents are entitled to be absent from work for 2 days per year for reasons of force majeure, such as a child's illness or accident.

Financial Benefits:

  • Employer: These days are granted without pay, so there are no financial benefits from the employer or the state.

Conclusions and Advice for Working Parents

Greek legislation offers a wide range of rights and financial benefits to working parents, allowing them to adjust their professional lives to new family needs without significant financial loss. It is crucial for parents to be aware of their rights and the available benefits to make full use of them in support of their family.

For more detailed information or legal advice, employees can consult lawyers specializing in labor issues or the competent authorities.

Sources and Information:

  • Greek Labor Legislation
  • Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED)
  • National Organization for Healthcare Services Provision (EOPYY)

Share