Directive (EU) 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers

Summary:

Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance, repealing Directive 2010/18/EU on parental leave.

Further information:

Following the withdrawal of a proposal to amend the 1992 Maternity Leave Directive, the European Commission committed to replacing that proposal with a 'new start initiative' (work-life balance package). The general objective was to ensure the implementation of the principle of equality between men and women with regard to labour market opportunities and treatment at work. Through adapting and modernising the EU legal framework, the Directive should allow parents and people with caring responsibilities to reconcile better their work and caring duties.

The draft law was adopted alongside a Communication presenting a set of legislative and non-legislative initiatives to encourage a healthy work-life balance. Both documents were published in the framework of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which was launched on the same day.

The proposal was adopted by the European Commission on 26 April 2017. The Council of the European Union adopted its general approach on 21 June 2018. The European Parliament's relevant committee approved the negotiating position and mandate on 11 July. An informal agreement between the co-legislators on a compromise text was reached on 24 January 2019. The Parliament formally endorsed it on 4 April, followed by the Council on 13 June.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

EPRS: Briefing, September 2017: Work-life balance for parents and carers [Initial Appraisal of a European Commission Impact Assessment] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2017)603266

EPRS: Briefing, April 2019: A new directive on work-life balance [EU Legislation in Progress] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2018)614708

---

News

Politico, 26/04/2017: Brussels pushes for work-life balance https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-announces-major-boost-to-social-agenda/

EurActiv, 18/06/2018: MEPs and NGOs urge ministers to reach deal on work-life balance directive https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/meps-and-ngos-urge-ministers-to-reach-deal-on-work-life-balance-directive/

EurActiv, 28/01/2019: Ten-day minimum paternity leave to be rolled out across EU https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/ten-day-minimum-paternity-leave-to-be-rolled-out-across-eu/

---

Official

EUR-Lex: COM(2017)253: Proposal for a Directive on work-life balance for parents and carers https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2017:253:FIN

EUR-Lex: SWD(2017)202: Impact assessment https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2017:202:FIN

EUR-Lex: SWD(2017)203: Executive summary of the impact assessment https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2017:203:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for proposal on work-life balance of parents and carers https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2017/0085(COD)

European Parliament: Legislative Train: New start for working parents http://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-new-boost-for-jobs-growth-and-investment/file-new-start-for-working-parents

General Secretariat of the Council: Policies: Work-life balance for parents and carers https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/work-life-balance/

Eurofound: Topics: Work-life balance https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/topic/work-life-balance

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 21/06/2018: Leave and flexible work for parents and carers: Council agrees general approach on the draft directive on work-life balance https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/06/21/leave-and-flexible-work-for-parents-and-carers-council-agrees-general-approach-on-the-draft-directive-on-work-life-balance/

European Commission: Statement, 21/06/2018: Commission welcomes agreement between EU Member States on key files for a more social Europe http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-18-4222_en.htm

European Parliament: Press Release, 11/07/2018: MEPs back measures to reconcile career and private life http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20180710IPR07611/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 24/01/2019: Better work-life balance for EU citizens: Presidency reaches provisional agreement with the European Parliament https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/01/24/better-work-life-balance-for-eu-citizens-presidency-reaches-provisional-agreement-with-the-european-parliament/

European Parliament: Press Release, 24/01/2019: Parliament and Council agree on measures to reconcile career and private life http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20190124IPR24213/

European Commission: Statement, 24/01/2019: Work-life balance: Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached today http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-19-424_en.htm

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 13/06/2019: Better work-life balance for parents and carers in the EU: Council adopts new rules https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/06/13/better-work-life-balance-for-parents-and-carers-in-the-eu-council-adopts-new-rules/

---