Parental Leave in Leiden

Parental leave gives parents the opportunity to take unpaid leave for the care of their child, with a partially paid period at the beginning since 2022.

Total Duration of the Leave

Per child, you are entitled to 26 times your weekly working hours of parental leave, to be used until your child reaches the age of 8 years.

Example Calculation

If you work 40 hours per week, this amounts to 26 × 40 = 1040 hours of leave.

Partially Paid Leave (9 weeks)

The first 9 weeks of parental leave are partially compensated: you receive a benefit from the UWV amounting to 70% of your daily wage (up to the maximum daily wage). This must be taken within the first year of your child's life.

Flexible Uptake of Leave

The leave can be taken in various ways: full-time, part-time, or spread over a longer period.

Application Procedure

Submit your request for parental leave in writing to your employer at least 2 months in advance.

Impact on Pension Accrual

During unpaid leave, your pension accrual may decrease. Contact your [pension fund](https://rechtshulpilburg.nl/encyclopedie/bedrijfstakpensioenfonds) for more information.

Statutory Basis: Work and Care Act (WAZO)

Local Information in Leiden

For legal support, you can go to the Juridisch Loket Leiden, located at Stationsweg 46. In addition, the District Court of The Hague, Leiden location handles matters related to labour law and leave arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions about Parental Leave

How much leave can I take and until what age of my child?

You are entitled to 26 times your weekly working hours per child, to be taken until your child is 8 years old. For a 40-hour working week, this means 1040 hours of leave, flexibly scheduled.

Is parental leave paid and how does that work?

The first 9 weeks are partially paid via a UWV benefit of 70% of your daily wage (up to a maximum). This must be taken within the first year of your child's life. The rest of the leave is unpaid.

How do I apply for this leave with my employer?

A written request must be submitted to your employer at least 2 months in advance. Specify how you want to take the leave and over what period.

Does parental leave affect my pension?

During unpaid leave, you may accrue less pension. Check this with your pension fund. For the paid 9 weeks, pension is accrued via the UWV benefit.

May I take leave during a probationary period?

Yes, you are also entitled to parental leave during a probationary period. Ensure a timely written application and clear communication with your employer.