Time off work/special leave to care for a sick child
If you have to look after your sick child, you will be released from work. Whether you can do this paid or unpaid depends on a number of conditions.
A doctor must always certify that childcare is necessary. A visit to the doctor is therefore essential for entitlement to special leave/work leave. If there is no doctor's certificate, you must fall back on your holiday leave or the time compensation option of flexitime.
In addition, the leave regulations only apply to children up to the age of 12. For civil servants, however, time off in the event of illness is also possible beyond this age if the child is disabled and dependent on assistance.
If these basic requirements are met, you are entitled to the following special leave or time off work:
| For tariff employees: | For civil servants: |
If the child and caring parent are insured under the statutory health insurance scheme, there is an entitlement to unpaid special leave of 15 days per year per child (max. 35 days per year if there are several children) in accordance with § 45 SGB. The health insurance fund pays the child sickness benefit (70% of the gross salary, max. 90% of the net salary). In the case of single parents, the entitlement is doubled. | If the annual salary (excluding family allowance and expense allowance) of the caring parent is above the annual salary limit, there is an entitlement to paid special leave of 4 days per year and child in accordance with § 33 FrUrlV. The annual earnings limit is redefined each year; an amount of �69,300 was set for 2024. |
| If the child and/or caring parent are privately insured, there is an entitlement to 4 days of paid special leave in accordance with Section 29 TV-L. | If the above-mentioned annual salary of the parent is below the annual salary limit, there is an entitlement to paid special leave of 15 days per child per year (max. 35 days per year if there are several children). |
Notes on the application procedure:
1. you can apply for special leave via ATOSS. If this is not possible, please use the leave application form provided for your status group. Please tick "Time off work/special leave" here. For paper applications, please send your application to Human Resources via the official channels, i.e. via your direct supervisor and the Dean's Office/head of department.
2. it is helpful for us to have your additional (informal) information as to whether you are an employee or civil servant.
3. enclose the medical certificate stating that it is necessary to care for the sick child with the application ( a copy (!) for paper applications).
If you submit your application via ATOSS, you can also send the certificate later by email. Please be sure to use the email address for the sick notes.
The original of the certificate is used to apply for child sickness benefit from the statutory health insurance fund in the case of unpaid special leave/work leave.
4. if applicable, point out any entitlement as a single parent.
5. if you are a civil servant yourself, please enclose a completed "Declaration of annual gross income" with your first application in the calendar year.