Parental Leave Directive

This briefing is one in a series of 'Implementation Appraisals' on the operation of existing EU legislation in practice. Each such briefing focuses on a specific EU law which is likely to be amended or reviewed, as foreseen in the European Commission's Annual Work Programme.

Implementation Appraisals aim to provide a succinct overview of material publicly available on the implementation, application and effectiveness of an EU law to date – drawing on available input from the EU institutions and external organisations. They are provided to assist parliamentary committees in their consideration of the new proposals, once tabled.For several years, EU policies have been aimed at improving the working and living conditions of working parents and ensuring better reconciliation of their professional and private life. Different pieces of legislation promote the rights of working parents, such as Council Directive 92/85/EEC (Maternity Leave Directive), protecting pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding, and Council Directive 2010/18/EU (Parental Leave Directive), establishing the leave conditions for male and female workers.

In 2008, the European Commission submitted a new legislative proposal, seeking to modify the provisions of the Maternity Leave Directive. Given that after more than four years the co-legislators had still not been able to reach an agreement, the European Commission decided to withdraw the proposal in 2015.

A further initiative was submitted in early 2017 within the European Pillar of Social Rights, this time seeking to repeal the Parental Leave Directive and to encourage a better work-life balance. It is the Parental Leave Directive that is the subject of this appraisal.

• Primary Source

EP: EPRS: Briefing: Implementation Appraisal: Ex-ante Impact Assessment http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/search.html?policyAreas=EXIMAS

ESO: Background information: Parental Leave Directive. Towards a revision? (EPRS: At a Glance, May 2016) http://www.europeansources.info/record/parental-leave-directive-towards-a-revision/

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