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The right to childcare leave is based on the Employment Contracts Act, and the right to it begins immediately after the end of the parental allowance period and continues until the child reaches the age of three. Childcare leave can be used by one parent at a time.
Childcare leave may be taken for a maximum of two periods of at least one month, unless the employer and employee agree on more and shorter periods.
If the mother has a new child during parental or childcare leave, she becomes entitled to a new pregnancy, maternity or parental leave. The right to leave is always assessed according to the last child.
Childcare leave is granted by the employer. The minimum length is one month. The employer and employee may also agree on more than two childcare leave periods shorter than one month.
Childcare leave and partial childcare leave
You can apply to Kela for childcare allowances for the period of your childcare leave or partial childcare leave. If your child is not in municipal early childhood education, you can receive home care allowance or private care allowance. If you work no more than 30 hours per week due to childcare and the other eligibility requirements are met, you can receive flexible or partial childcare allowance.
Employees have the right to be absent from work for a maximum of four working days at a time in order to arrange the care of or care for a child under the age of 10 who has suddenly fallen ill. One parent at a time is entitled to this temporary childcare leave. Parents can divide the childcare leave period among themselves as they wish.
Upon request, the employee must provide a reliable account of the reason for the temporary child-care leave. According to the law, employers are not obliged to pay wages during temporary child-care leave, but most collective agreements contain a provision on the obligation to pay wages for three or four days.
