Leave for informal care: extension of the period of interruption per person in need of care

Author: Catherine Legardien (Legal Expert)
Read time: 2min
Publication date: 03/09/2021 - 10:26
Latest update: 03/09/2021 - 10:27

From 1 September 2021, the maximum period of interruption per person (in need of care) that the employee can take as part of leave for informal care is extended.

As a reminder, leave for informal care can be taken as:

  • a full suspension of work;
  • a reduction of work to a half-time job;
  • a reduction of work by 1/5.

Important!

Only full-time employees can reduce their work by 1/2 or 1/5. Part-time employees may only fully suspend their work.

In the event of full suspension of work, the maximum duration of the leave is 3 months (instead of 1 month) per person in need of care.

This duration can be split into periods of 1 month or multiples thereof. For the same person, it is therefore possible to apply for a maximum of 1, 2 or 3 months of full suspension of work.

If work is reduced by 1/2 or 1/5, the maximum duration of the leave is now 6 months (instead of 2 months) per person in need of care.

This duration can be split into periods of 2 months or multiples thereof. In other words, for the same person, it is therefore possible to apply for a maximum of 2, 4 or 6 months of reduction of work.

On the other hand, the total duration of the leave for informal care that the employee can take throughout his professional career remains unchanged. It is a maximum of 6 months in case of full suspension of work and a maximum of 12 months in case work is reduced (by 1/2 and 1/5).

Important note! Only one continuous period of leave for informal care may be applied for by written notification to the employer.

These new durations per person in need of care apply to all written applications submitted to the employer from 1 September 2021.

More information about the leave for informal care? Consult our InfoflashLeave for informal carers: finally a reality!

Source: Royal Decree of 20 July 2021 for the implementation of article 100ter, § 3, 2nd paragraph of the Recovery Act of 22 January 1985 containing social provisions, Belgian Official Gazette of 20 August 2021.

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