Caring for dependent relatives alongside your job can become a major emotional and organizational challenge. That’s why we, as the central point of contact at your university, are here to support you. Please note that only the Human Resources Department can provide legally binding information on your individual contractual and employment law questions. However, we are happy to offer you advice and assistance.
If an acute care situation arises for close relatives (i.e., the need for care must occur suddenly or there must be a sudden significant deterioration), you can take up to 10 days off to organize care. You can apply for kurzzeitige Arbeitsverhinderung (short-term work prevention) without notice period through your responsible administrator in the Human Resources Department. During the kurzzeitige Arbeitsverhinderung (short-term work prevention), you will not be paid wages, but you can apply for Pflegeunterstützungsgeld (Care Support Allowance) (max. 90% of net earnings) from the care insurance fund of the person in need of care for this period.
You can find all current information on the topic of (Familien-)Pflegezeit ((family) care leave) in the brochure “Bessere Vereinbarkeit von Familie, Pflege und Beruf” from the BMFSFJ. All leave options listed here can be combined, but you can take a total of up to 24 months of leave. You will not receive wages for the duration of your care-related leave, but there is the possibility of applying for an interest-free loan.
Pflegezeit (Care Leave)
As part of Pflegezeit (care leave), if you take on the care of close relatives with at least Pflegegrad (care level) 1, you can take full or partial leave from work for up to six months. The care must take place in a home environment. You can only take Pflegezeit (care leave) once for the same relative, however, it is possible for multiple employees (e.g., siblings) to apply for Pflegezeit (care leave) to care for the same person. You must apply for Pflegezeit (care leave) at least 10 days in advance through your responsible administrator in the Human Resources Department. If you wish to continue working part-time during the Pflegezeit (care leave), this is possible without a minimum working time.
Familienpflegezeit (Family Care Leave)
As part of Familienpflegezeit (family care leave), if you take on the care of close relatives with at least Pflegegrad (care level) 1, you can take full or partial leave from work for up to two years. The care must take place in a home environment. You can only take Familienpflegezeit (family care leave) once for the same relative, however, it is possible for multiple employees (e.g., siblings) to apply for Familienpflegezeit (family care leave) to care for the same person. You must apply for Familienpflegezeit (family care leave) at least eight weeks in advance through your responsible administrator in the Human Resources Department. If you wish to continue working part-time during the Familienpflegezeit (family care leave), this is possible, but your weekly working hours must be at least 15 hours.
Care for Minor Dependent Relatives
For the care of close relatives who are minors and in need of care with at least care level 1, you can take up to two years off work, either completely or partially. Unlike Familienpflegezeit (family care time), the care does not have to take place in a home environment. You must apply for care leave at least eight weeks in advance with your responsible case worker in the Human Resources Department. If you wish to continue working part-time during the care leave, this is possible, but your weekly working hours must be at least 15 hours.
Unlike Familienpflegezeit (family care leave), the care does not have to take place in a home environment.
Begleitung in der letzten Lebensphase (End-of-Life Care)
If a close relative of yours is in the final phase of life, meaning a cure for a progressive illness is ruled out and life expectancy is only weeks or a few months, you can take full or partial leave to accompany your relative in the final phase of life for up to three months. The care does not have to take place in a home environment. You must notify your responsible administrator in the Human Resources Department about the Begleitung in der letzten Lebensphase (end-of-life care) at least 10 days in advance. This leave option does not require the person close to you to have a Pflegegrad (care level). If you wish to continue working part-time during the Begleitung in der letzten Lebensphase (end-of-life care), this is possible to the extent you desire.
Severe Illness of a Relative in the Same Household
If a relative in your household becomes severely ill, you are entitled to one working day per calendar year of paid leave.
Severe Illness of a Child Under 12 Years Old
If you are not entitled to child sickness benefits (§ 45 SGB V), you can be granted up to four working days per calendar year of paid leave. Please refer to the guideline “Erkrankung Kind” from the Leave Management (PA 5) of the Human Resources Department.
Severe Illness of a Caregiver for a Child in Need of Care
If one of your child’s caregivers becomes severely ill and therefore cannot provide care for your permanently care-dependent child, you can be granted up to four working days per calendar year of paid leave.
Death in the Family
In the event of the death of a child, spouse, life partner, or parent, you are entitled to two days of paid leave according to § 29 TV-L or the Leave Ordinance.
Civil Servants
It is possible to work part-time for family reasons. Please note the information provided by the Department of Human Resources as well as the corresponding information sheet from the Ministry of the Interior and Sports of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Employees Covered by Collective Agreements
If you have been employed at JGU for at least six months, you are generally entitled to a temporary reduction in your working hours. An unlimited reduction in working hours may also be possible after prior consultation with your superiors. Requests for reduced working hours should be submitted to your responsible administrator in the Department of Human Resources at least three months in advance. You can also obtain all further information there.
In addition, you are also entitled to a reduction in working hours if you care for or look after a dependent relative (proof required). Here, a time limit of up to 5 years is possible.
JGU offers its employees the opportunity for homeoffice.
Short-term homeoffice
- can be informally and briefly agreed upon between employee and supervisor
- should not exceed six days per calendar year
Regular homeoffice
- can be agreed upon for up to one year, with extension possible after a new application
- should not exceed 50% of the regular weekly working hours
- must be digitally requested at least one month in advance from the Department of Human Resources, with a risk assessment required for the initial application
The exact regulations are set out in the Service Agreement on Homeoffice. Further information can also be obtained from the Human Resources Department.
The time you spend caring for a dependent relative may be credited towards your pension. One of the prerequisites for this is that the person in need of care has at least Pflegegrad (care level) 2 and is cared for in a home environment. You must carry out your care activities for at least 10 hours, distributed over at least two days per week, and you may work for a maximum of 30 hours per week in addition. Further information is available from the Deutschen Rentenversicherung (German Pension Insurance).
To have Kindererziehungszeiten (child-rearing periods) credited to your insurance account, you must submit a corresponding application to the pension insurance.
For students and employees of JGU who care for relatives or close persons with dementia, we offer regular meetings on campus for exchange and networking. The meetings are currently facilitated by Carola Beck from PflegeSelbsthilfe RLP. If you want to learn more, you can get information here.
