The issue of work-life balance is becoming an increasing EU policy priority. Over the last years, the European Commission has introduced a package of measures designed to improve the reconciliation of work, private and family life. The latest initiative in this sense concerns the new rules on parental leave. On 8 March 2010, the Employment and Social Affairs European Council adopted a new Directive on parental leave which implements the revised framework agreement concluded in June 2009 by EU social partners. According to EU officials, this move reflects the changes that occurred in the society and the labour market since the original Parental Leave agreement was signed in 1995, and will contribute to a better work-life balance as well as to promote gender equality. Furthermore, it represents a major milestone in the European social dialogue as it is the first time that social partners at EU level have agreed on the revision of pre-existing Agreement.

The main changes in the new Directive are as follows:

- The right to parental leave is extended from three to four months per child for each parent. At least one of the months is not transferable to the other parent, thereby offering incentives to fathers to take their leave;

- Increased protection against any less-favourable treatment (not only against dismissal) in connection with parental leave is provided for all workers;

- When returning from parental leave, the employees have the possibility to request temporary changes regarding their working hours;

- Governments and employers/unions are required to address the specific needs of parents of adopted children and children with a disability or long-term illness;

- The new rights will apply to all workers irrespective of their type of contract (i.e. fixed-term, part-time, agency workers); however, Member states have the option to maintain a qualification period of a maximum of one year before an employee can apply for a leave.

Source: EUROPA Gateway to the European Union, http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=PRES/10/33&format=HTML&aged; Official journal of the European Union, http://eurlex.europa.eu/; Equity Channel, http://www.equitychannel.net/blog/new-eu-agreement-on-extended-parental-leave.

Legislation date: 08.03.2010

Date d'entrée en vigueur prévue: 07.04.2010