Parental leave: five questions to ask before starting
1 / Do I fit in the criteria?
The parents ofchildren under 3 years of age can benefit from the additional free choice of activity during parental leave. Regardless of the type of your contract or the size of your company, at least 8 quarters of old-age contributions must be shown in the last 2 years, for the first child ; in the last 4 years, if it is the second child ; and in the last 5 years from the 3rd child.
2 / Did I make the request in time?
To be effective, the request to the employer must be made by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, one month before the end of maternity leave. This letter addressed to the employer must contain the start date and duration of the parental leave. In the case where the parental leave does not follow the maternity leave, the mail must be sent two months before departure. 3 / Is I going for a full or partial parental leave?
The benefits differ according to the parental leave chosen. It's up to you to calculate what will be best for you. A 50% or 80% parental leave often entails certain ancillary costs (nursery, baby sitting ...) which can rise quickly.
4 / Are we splitting parental leave?
Six months allowance is reserved for the second parent. As of July 1, 2014, the supplement to the free choice of activity is paid until the two and a half years of thechild. If the parents wish to benefit until the three years of thechildthe second parent will have to take the remaining six months.
5 / Do I want it?
It's surely great to spend so much time with her child and to see it evolve but the social gaze is not always tender and the parent on leave can be afraid to go around in circles. It is important to ask yourself the right questions to measure your true motivation. Once the leave is taken, it will be necessary to know how to find time for oneself so as not to be invaded by the daily tasks, and not to forget that the leave is not irreversible. It is always possible to interrupt by sending a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt to the employer.
