Legal provisions, e.g., the act on family caregiving leave (Familienpflegezeitgesetz, FPfZG)

Better reconciliation of family, care and work—legal regulations
For working persons who care for relatives, flexible hours are key to juggling caregiving and work. Sometimes, a partial or complete leave of absence is necessary. The caregiving leave act (Gesetz über die Pflegezeit, PflegeZG) and the act on family caregiving leave (Gesetz über die Familienpflegezeit, FPfZG) regulate employee eligibility to go on leave to care for a close relative. The acts cover short-term absences from work, nursing care subsidy, care leave, and family care leave. Find information on legal regulations in this video.

Short-term absence from work, care leave, and family care leave
The web pages of the Federal Government (in German only) provide current information, including FAQs and an advisory hotline. Go to Universität Hamburg’s Staff Service Portal for further information and application forms.

In the event of acute care situations, family caregivers who meet certain criteria before 31 March 2022 are eligible for a leave of absence from work for up to 20 days due to the coronavirus pandemic; they can also apply for a nursing care subsidy. More information on the web pages of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens Women and Youth, BMFSFJ (in German only).

Application for family care leave at Universität Hamburg
First contact your supervisor if you plan to apply for family care leave. The responsible HR staff can help you with any questions on formal requirements. Visit the University's Staff Service Portal for further information and application forms.

Since 1 January 2017: Pflegegrade (care degrees) have replaced Pflegestufen (care levels)
The second act on nursing support (Pflegestärkungsgesetz II), which took effect on 1 January 2017, brought many changes. Mental and psychological impairments now receive greater consideration, for example, which particularly helps people with dementia.

The former care levels (Pflegestufen) have been replaced by five care degrees (Pflegegrade). Deciding factors are not the level of frailty and required assistance but the degree of individual independence and cognitive skills.

There is a strong emphasis on making work and caregiving compatible. Services and benefits are designed to help family caregivers balance their job and caregiving duties.

More information is available from the web pages of the Federal Government (in German only).