How does family leave (congé pour raisons familiales) work, and what childcare is there when my child is sick?

Leave for family reasons lets a working parent stay home with a sick child when there is no other way to care for them. Employees (including during a trial period), apprentices and self-employed parents can take it.

How many days, per child:

• under 4: 12 days;
• from 4 until the day before the 13th birthday: 18 days;
• 13 to 18, only if the child is hospitalised: 5 days.

The days are doubled for children receiving the special supplementary allowance, and can be extended in serious cases, such as a hospital stay of more than 2 weeks. You can split the days, and periods of 4 hours or less count as half-days. Both parents can use it, but not at the same time. If only one parent works, only that parent is entitled.

What to do:

• tell your employer on the first day of absence;
• get a medical certificate from the doctor, even for one day, stating that your child needs you present and for how long;
• give it to your employer as soon as possible and send it to the CNS by the third day.

You keep your normal pay and, if you followed these steps, you are protected against dismissal during the leave. You can check how many days you have used on MyGuichet.lu.

Other options when your child is sick:

• the Krank Kanner Doheem service sends a qualified carer to your home during your working hours; you must register in advance, and the price depends on your household income;
• some maisons relais also offer care for sick children;
• a babysitter: your commune may keep a list of available young people.