This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Parental leave and leave for family reasons
The Directive makes the framework agreement on parental leave concluded between the general cross-industry organisations compulsory. It also asks the Member States to lay down penalties for infringements of national measures taken in implementation of the Directive.
ACT
Council Directive 96/34/EC of 3 June 1996 on the framework agreement on parental leave concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC [Amending acts].
SUMMARY
The framework agreement on parental leave concluded on 14 December 1995 between the general cross-industry organisations (UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC), annexed to the Directive, is made compulsory.
Content of the framework agreement
The framework agreement provides for:
More favourable provisions
The Member States may introduce more favourable provisions than those laid down in the Directive.
Implementation of the provisions of the Directive will not in any way constitute sufficient grounds to justify a reduction in the general level of protection afforded to workers in the field covered.
Sanctions
The Member States are to determine the range of penalties applicable for infringements of national provisions pursuant to the Directive, and are to take all the necessary steps to ensure their implementation. The penalties applied must be effective and commensurate with the infringement, and must constitute a sufficient deterrent.
Context
The objective of the Directive is to introduce minimum requirements on parental leave and time off from work on grounds of force majeure. It aims to reconcile occupational and family obligations and to promote equal opportunities and equal treatment for men and women.
This Directive shall be repealed on 8 March 2012. It shall be replaced by Directive 2010/18/EU on the application of the revised framework agreement on parental leave concluded by BUSINESSEUROPE, UEAPME, CEEP and ETUC.
References
Act |
Entry into force |
Deadline for transposition in the Member States |
Official Journal |
Directive 96/34/EC |
3.6.1998 |
3.6.1998 |
L 145 of 19.6.1996 |
Amending acts |
Entry into force |
Deadline for transposition in the Member States |
Official Journal |
Directive 97/75/EC |
15.12.1999 |
15.12.1999 |
L 10 du 16.1.1998 |
RELATED ACTS
Report from the Commission on the implementation of Council Directive 96/34/EC of 3 June 1996 on the framework agreement on parental leave concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC [COM(2003) 358 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
The Commission describes the situation as regards transposition of Directive 96/34/EC in the Member States, based on information provided by the Member States in accordance with the Directive. The report takes stock of how the Directive has been implemented from the point of view of scope, age of children, length of parental leave and how it is taken, individuality and transferability between the parents, conditions and formalities, restrictions applicable to small firms, protection from dismissal and right to return, employment rights and status of workers on parental leave, and time off on grounds of force majeure.
Last updated: 27.04.2010