Are you confused about how this relates to the new maternity leave rules, which include earmarked maternity leave for men and co-parents? Julie Carøe helps you get an overview here.
Article written by Julie Carøe,
midwife and founder of “SammenMedJer ”
With the new maternity leave rules, expectant parents will have to share their maternity leave more equally between them. In the new maternity leave scheme, the mother and father will each have 11 weeks of maternity leave, while the last 26 weeks can be divided as desired. The 11 weeks are earmarked, which means that they cannot be transferred to the other parent. Therefore, if the father chooses not to take his share of the maternity leave, the weeks will be lost.
What is the significance of the new maternity law?
On August 1, 2022, a new maternity leave law came into force in Denmark. After 20 years of being able to distribute maternity leave between parents as desired, there is now earmarked time for partners. We are now, via an EU directive, in the process of considering how family life and work life can be better balanced.
So all children born after the above date have had the opportunity to spend more time with their parents individually. Some choose to keep it together, others separately.
However, the total number of weeks is the same as in the old maternity leave law. Small measurements have already been made that show that more men have taken more maternity leave than before the law came into force – so it will be exciting to follow the development over the next few years.
Also read the article "This is why babies should lie on their stomachs"
How is the new maternity leave distributed according to the new law?
Basically, the new law means the following for the distribution between the parents:
If the parents live together when the child is born, they generally have 24 weeks each.
They can choose to distribute them between them as they wish. However, 11 weeks are earmarked for the partner. That is, 2 weeks after the birth and 9 weeks thereafter. These weeks cannot be transferred to the mother and if they are not taken, they are waived by the family. It can be a bit of a puzzle to get it to work.
Borger.dk has created this explanation to provide a better overview.
When should you report maternity leave?
As a general rule, all pregnant women must report for maternity leave no later than 3 months before their expected due date. This applies regardless of whether you are going on leave 4, 6 or 8 weeks before your due date.
No later than 6 weeks after the birth, you must notify when you expect to return from maternity leave. You must also notify whether you will return full-time or part-time. However, everyone has the option to extend their leave by at least 5 weeks after the end of maternity leave if they start working full-time afterwards. However, there may be individual rules in your contract, so talk to your employer.
Today, there is a big difference in what companies offer in terms of maternity leave to parents. This has actually become a competitive parameter in attracting new employees. So maybe you have also received new maternity leave rules at your job? Investigate this – and be aware that if you are going to apply for maternity benefits during your maternity leave, this must be done no later than 8 weeks after the first day of absence or last salary payment.
However, there is a lot to be aware of. There are many deadlines and since they are individual depending on the contract and collective agreement - always contact your HR department, shop steward or manager for more information about your specific terms.
Also read the article "After birth - Good to know"
Maternity leave for the self-employed?
If you are self-employed or unemployed, there are different rules. So contact Udbetaling Danmark for more help and guidance.
Although it can be difficult to remember everything when you are simultaneously affected by sleep deprivation, hormones, new life as parents and everything else good, REMEMBER to check your email box and respond before various deadlines, as it can ultimately result in you missing out on money and time with your child if they are exceeded.
Phew - who said it would be easy...
Visit the website www.sammenmedjer.dk
Here is a video explaining the new maternity rules.
Get an easy and quick overview of the new maternity leave with this explanatory video
Find more information at more information can be found here: www.borger.dk/barsel