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.

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 Univesity of Hamburg’s Staff Service Portal for further information and application forms.

Application for family care leave at the University of 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The former care levels (Pflegestufen) have been replaced by five care degrees (Pflegegrade).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).