Are you allowed to not go to work if no one can look after your children? Many working parents ask themselves this question, especially single parents, because daycare centres and schools are closing from Tuesday onwards. Parents must “make every reasonable effort” to find a solution. This is what the federal government wrote on its “News” page. This means that perhaps relatives (not grandparents because of the high-risk to them), the partner or friends can take over the care. If nobody can be found to take care of the children, employees should talk to their employer. If it is impossible for the affected parents to work, they must “not necessarily” take vacation days, according to the Federal Government. However, there are strict limitatons to the continued payment of wages/salaries – for example, a “non-substantial”, i.e. only a few days’ absence from work. The right to continued payment can also be restricted or excluded depending on the work contract signed by the employee. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs advises to seek “pragmatic solutions” with the employer: for example, working remotely (home office), using overtime hours collected previously, taking paid or unpaid leave.
But the question still remains, what should an employee who looks after their children alone do if they are unable to find someone and has no family members close by. If they apply for unpaid leave, how will they be able to meet their financial obligations like bills, rent and much more?
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Impressionen zum Leben in Zeiten der Corona-Pandemie: Foto: tünews INTERNATIONAL; Mostafa Elyasian, 19.03.2020
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