Paternity leave - history, statutory in Europe, limits, reappraisal

Résumé du document

Launched by the Jospin government on the 1st of January 2002, this 11 successive day's break (18 in case of multiple births) has been added to the 3 already entitled days since then by the labor law. It is open to every father namely wage-earners, independent workers, farming workers, civil servants or even fathers fulfilling the role in the 4 months following the birth of a child.

The indemnity amounts to 100% of the gross income, in the limit of the security social ceiling (2352€ in 2002). The maximum amount of the day indemnity is consequently of 78.4€ gross, i.e. 62.88€ after deducting the social contributions. The calculation of this indemnity is the same as for the maternity leave. It is financed by the national child benefit office. In 2002 it cost 180 million euros.

The father shall inform his employer of the date and the duration of his leave one month before the chosen date. The employer has no right to forbid the employee to take his leave, neither the right to change the dates chosen by the employee.

Extraits

[...] Is the success of the paternity leave a windfall effect or is it relevant of the modification in the family structure, perception and role? Even if the implication of father is genuine, the paternity leave does not seem to result in a long-term investment from them, equivalent to the one of mothers. Men seem to take the old domestic habits apace. We can notice that if the newly fathers sometimes cope with so-called motherly functions, in most cases, it does not go beyond the 1st child. [...]

[...] The fear to disappoint his employer can also be considered as an major point of scarce use of the paternity break, though this practice is not by employers. The firms are indeed rather accommodating. French companies have wholeheartedly supported the new paternity leave. According to the Minister of Family, so few companies have objected to their employees taking leave. As opposed to the 35 hours per week decision which have sparked a heated debate, firms have easily granted. How come? [...]

[...] Last but not least, the paternity leave is decided in 2002. 3°The example of the Scandinavian countries With these three days of leave for “family solidarity”, France used to be in the European average, at the same level as countries such as Germany, Italy, Great Britain and Spain. But the attractiveness of the Scandinavian social model has shown the path to follow. The Danish fathers have since 1983 two weeks of leave, the Finnish 18 days and the Swedish can have thanks to a recent law of 2002 under certain conditions a 60 days leave instead of 30 days. [...]

[...] It is opened to every fathers namely wage-earners, independent workers, farming workers, civil servants or even fathers on the dole in the 4 months following the birth of a child. The indemnity amounts to 100% of the gross income, in the limit of the security social ceiling in 2002). The maximum amount of the day indemnity is consequently of 78.4 gross, i.e after deducting the social contributions. The calculation of this indemnity is the same as for the maternity leave. It is financed by the national child benefit office. In 2002 it cost 180 million euros. [...]

[...] Men talk and think more often and freely of their children at work, it is no longer a female activities! Thus the paternity leave seems to have found its way. Everything that enables fathers to take a more active part in educative tasks is a good thing, it simply improves the equality between genders struggle. Actually it seems like not only women have to cope with the double day work, but men are now concern by this thanks to the paternity leave. [...]