Germany: Proposals and challenges in work-life balance

The Evangelische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Familie has proposed a new reform model titled ‘Dynamic Family Time’ to improve the economic viability of reducing working hours for childcare in Germany. The proposal suggests tiered monthly payments to support parents who adjust their employment to care for children.

Under this model, parents would receive 240 euros per month if they work between 24 and 32 hours per week until the child reaches three years of age. For children up to five years old, the support would decrease to 120 euros per month for those working up to 34 hours per week. The goal is to facilitate a gradual transition back to full-time employment while providing financial stability.

Parallel to these policy discussions, reports highlight the practical difficulties parents face when returning to the workforce. Some individuals have reported facing disadvantages or being pressured to sign termination agreements when requesting part-time roles following parental leave. In one instance involving the company AniCura, a trainee reported being offered a termination agreement instead of a part-time contract, a situation the company attributed to operational requirements and training regulations.