{"id":262,"date":"2026-06-18T17:24:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T15:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/?page_id=262"},"modified":"2026-06-18T17:24:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T15:24:04","slug":"elternzeit","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/en\/elternzeit\/","title":{"rendered":"Parental Leave"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/parental-leave.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/parental-leave.png 1536w, https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/parental-leave-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/parental-leave-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/parental-leave-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/parental-leave-18x12.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Parental Leave<\/strong> allows employees to devote time to their family after the birth of a child while maintaining their existing employment relationship. However, conflicts with the employer often arise when the return to work approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many employees have questions such as: Am I entitled to return to my previous job? Can my employer assign me different duties? Can I be dismissed after parental leave?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a lawyer in Freiburg, I assist employees with issues relating to parental leave, returning to work, and their rights vis-\u00e0-vis their employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Rights Do I Have After Parental Leave?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During parental leave, the employment relationship continues, although the main obligations under the employment contract are suspended. Once parental leave ends, the employment relationship generally continues under the previous contractual terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means that employees are entitled to return to employment after parental leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practice, however, problems frequently arise, for example if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the previous position has been filled by someone else<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the employer offers only a lower-level position<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>duties or areas of responsibility are taken away<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a request to return on a part-time basis is rejected<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pressure is exerted to sign a termination agreement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employees returning after a longer absence should therefore be aware of their rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Am I Entitled to My Previous Job After Parental Leave?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most common questions is: <strong>Am I entitled to return to exactly the same job after parental leave?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a general rule, your employer must continue to employ you in accordance with your employment contract. However, there is no automatic entitlement to exactly the same desk or precisely the same individual duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, your employer cannot simply assign you any lower-level position. The new role must fall within the scope of your employment contract and be equivalent in status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employees do not have to accept a demotion or disadvantage because they have taken parental leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Part-Time Work After Parental Leave \u2013 What Are the Rules?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many parents do not wish to return to full-time employment immediately after parental leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under certain conditions, employees may be entitled to <strong>part-time work after parental leave.<\/strong> Relevant factors include the size of the company, the length of the employment relationship, and whether the request was submitted within the required time limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conflicts often arise when employers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>reject the requested working hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>offer only unsuitable working arrangements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>make returning to work difficult<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>seek to prevent a reduction in working hours<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether a refusal is legally justified should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dismissal After Parental Leave \u2013 Is It Permitted?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employees benefit from special protection against dismissal during parental leave. As a general rule, an employer may terminate the employment relationship during this period only under exceptional circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once parental leave ends, this special protection no longer applies. However, this does not mean that the employer may dismiss the employee without further justification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A dismissal after parental leave must still comply with the general requirements of employment law. In particular, it may be necessary to examine whether:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>there is a legally valid reason for dismissal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the German Protection Against Dismissal Act applies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the dismissal is connected with the parental leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>all deadlines and formal requirements have been observed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the event of a dismissal, employees need to act quickly. As a general rule, an unfair dismissal claim must be filed within three weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Problems When Returning from Parental Leave<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many conflicts do not arise from a direct dismissal, but from changes in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Typical situations include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cI am told that my previous position no longer exists.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cMy employer is only offering me a lower-level position.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cI have less responsibility than before.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cMy working hours are no longer compatible with my childcare arrangements.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cI am being asked to sign a termination agreement.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In such situations, it is advisable to obtain legal advice before making decisions or signing any agreements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Returning from parental leave should be an orderly return to work \u2013 not a career disadvantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I will review the following for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 What rights do you have after parental leave?<br>\u2713 Is the position being offered to you appropriate?<br>\u2713 Are you entitled to work part-time?<br>\u2713 Is a dismissal after parental leave legally valid?<br>\u2713 Should you sign a termination agreement?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/calendly.com\/mail-rechtsanwalt-hautli\/30min\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"279\" src=\"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/button_free-phone-appointment.png\" alt=\"Kostenlosen Telefontermin vereinbaren\" class=\"wp-image-150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/button_free-phone-appointment.png 2172w, https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/button_free-phone-appointment-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/button_free-phone-appointment-1024x341.png 1024w, https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/button_free-phone-appointment-768x256.png 768w, https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/button_free-phone-appointment-1536x512.png 1536w, https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/button_free-phone-appointment-2048x683.png 2048w, https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/button_free-phone-appointment-18x6.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Die Elternzeit erm\u00f6glicht Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmern, sich nach der Geburt eines Kindes der Familie zu widmen und gleichzeitig das bestehende Arbeitsverh\u00e4ltnis zu erhalten. Doch gerade wenn die R\u00fcckkehr in den Beruf bevorsteht, entstehen h\u00e4ufig Konflikte mit dem Arbeitgeber. Viele Besch\u00e4ftigte stellen sich Fragen wie: Habe ich Anspruch auf meinen alten Arbeitsplatz? Darf mein Arbeitgeber mir [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":263,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-262","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=262"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/262\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":264,"href":"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/262\/revisions\/264"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rechtsanwalt-hautli.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}