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ARTICLE · 23 JUNE 2022

Work-Life Balance In Germany: What's Changing This Summer?

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By 2 August 2022, EU member states must implement the Work-Life Balance Directive. In Germany, the big question was whether

GermanyEmployment and HR
Kliemt.HR Lawyers
Kliemt.HR Lawyers

By 2 August 2022, EU member states must implement the Work-Life Balance Directive. In Germany, the big question was whether this would mean paternity leave would be introduced. That 'big bang' will not happen for now, but there are other changes employers need to know about.

In 2021, around 1.9 million women and men in Germany received parental allowance. The proportion of men receiving parental allowance has increased in recent years, rising to around 25%, compared to 21% in 2015. This makes it clear that men are taking more parental leave. However, the draft law implementing the Work-Life Balance Directive in Germany is unlikely to contribute to a further increase for the time being. The additional 'paternity' leave made possible by the Directive will not be introduced. Overall, employers will only have to prepare themselves for a limited number of changes to the previous legal situation. This is because the majority of the Directive's provisions have already

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