What is the difference between care leave and carer's leave?

One phone call - and suddenly everything is different. When a family member unexpectedly needs care, the world stands still for a moment. How can you organize care and manage your job in such a situation? The question often arises as to the difference between care leave and care leave and how you can make sensible use of these options.

 

Luckily, nursing leave and caregiver leave are two important options that can help you in this situation. But what's behind them and how do they differ? You can find out everything you need to know in our blog article.

 

 

Emotional stress in care

When Marie received a call from the hospital that her partner had had an accident and suddenly needed care, her life was turned upside down.

 

As a dedicated professional, from one day to the next she was faced with the challenge of organizing the care of her friend while at the same time doing justice to her professional and family life. Marie has biological children of her husband's wife or registered partner in the household, and suddenly she also had to take care of them.

 

"Marie was desperately looking for ways to make time for caregiving without jeopardizing her professional livelihood. She came across the terms 'care leave' and 'care leave' - terms that play an important role for many relatives in Austria who live in a household with a child."

 

But what is the difference between nursing leave and nursing leave?

 

Read on to find out how Marie managed to find the perfect balance between work and caregiving - and how you can master it too. Stay tuned to see which of these options will help you best so you don't find yourself alone in difficult times.

 

Care leave and care leave in Austria

 

Understanding the caregiver leave

In Austria, the Caring for relativesis becoming increasingly important as the population ages and the need for support from family members increases. Statutory cover for care periods is therefore essential to make it easier for those affected to balance work commitments and family care responsibilities, especially if they share a household.

 

In Austria, there are two central regulations that allow family caregivers to temporarily interrupt their professional obligations to care for a family member: care leave and care leave.

 

Both regulations are enshrined in Austrian labour law and offer important support for family caregivers.

 

Definition caregiver exemption

Care leave offers a short-term solution for acute care situations. It enables employees to be released from work at short notice in the event of a sudden need for care. This applies in particular if there is a shared household.

 

This leave of absence can generally be taken for a maximum of two working weeks per calendar year and is used to take on necessary care tasks at short notice or to organize care arrangements. During the care leave, you are also entitled to normal pay.

 

Of course, you can also take advantage of the care leave on a daily or hourly basis, depending on your needs.

 

Definition of care leave

Care leave, often referred to as "carers' leave", allows employees to take time off from their job to take intensive care of a child, for example. 

 

This provision is particularly helpful when longer-term care is required, such as when a child's caregiver is absent.

 

The entitlement period for care leave can be up to three months, depending on the circumstances, although an extension is also possible under certain conditions.

 

As long as you use up your regular leave, you will continue to be paid. If you take longer care leave than your leave entitlement, you will no longer be entitled to continued payment of your salary.

 

Legal basis

 

Court decisions in the field of care

The entitlement to care leave is also defined by law. In addition to the entitlement, the Vacation Act (UrlG) also states that your employer may not deny you caregiver leave.

 

However, it is important that you inform him or her immediately of the need for care leave and, if necessary, also prove the need for care (for example, with a doctor's certificate).

 

Once the maximum two weeks of care leave have been exhausted, the law allows you to take leave without prior agreement with your employer. unilateral start of leave without prior agreement with the employer.

 

However, unilateral leave may only be taken if a written justification has been requested within five days of the start of the leave.

 

If you nevertheless receive a dismissal due to the intended or actual use of care leave, you can challenge this at the labor and social court or allow the termination of the employment contract to take effect and assert claims for damages.

 

Attention: In order to be able to take action against the termination, you must request a written justification of the termination within five days. If you find yourself in such a situation, it is advisable to contact the Chamber of Labor or a lawyer directly.

 

Prerequisites

 

Care checklist for families

In Austria, there are clear requirements for taking care leave and care leave, which are set out in the Employment Contract Law Adjustment Act (AVRAG). When Marie urgently needed care leave, she found out directly about the legal requirements for care leave.

 

An entitlement to care leave exists if..

 

• she has to take over the necessary care of a sick close relative (sick leave). Close relatives are spouses, life partners and relatives in the "direct line" (e.g. children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents as well as adopted and foster children). The relative or child does not have to live in the same household;

   

•  they care for a suitable person from the shared household - even if they are not relatives (e.g. roommates);

   

• she must take over the necessary care of her own child (including adopted and foster children) if the permanent caregiver is absent (caregiver leave). In this case, too, the child does not have to live in the same household;

   

• she has to accompany her child to hospital during an inpatient stay (companion exemption);

   

For a second week of care leave, it must be for the care of a relative of a child under the age of 12.

 

Once you have exhausted your entitlement to care leave, you can arrange further leave - care leave or part-time care leave - with your line manager. However, this only applies to people in need of care with care level 3, dementia patients or minors.

 

This requires a confirmation that your main task during the leave of absence is childcare, as well as a written agreement on parental leave or part-time work with your supervisor.

 

 

Experiences and tips from Marie

Marie initially took a week's leave of absence. She also sat down with her employer and told him about her difficult situation. Together, the two agreed to take one month's care leave. This allowed Marie to concentrate on reorganizing her life and be there for her partner.

 

After care leave or nursing leave: What happens next?

 

Of course, Marie immediately realized that she couldn't take care of her friend entirely on her own. And her partner didn't want her to subordinate her life to his care and give up her job either.

 

Marie was therefore looking for the quickest possible care solution. But she didn't want to rely on a leaving an agency and flexibly decide when and, above all, who comes into the shared household. 

 

During her research, Marie then came across noracares. She was enthusiastic about the concept and registered on the platform. 

 

After a brief search, she found what she was looking for: Henry, a 31-year-old caregiver was a perfect match for her and her partner's needs. She discovered that many others were often unaware of the difference between care leave and caregiver leave and needed valuable information.

 

She contacted Henry, arranged a video call and convinced herself of his skills - with success, as she hired the nurse after just one week of care leave. As a result, she was able to return to her work and hobbies without having to worry about her boyfriend.

 

 

Marie's tips for sufferers

 

Marie's partner is now in a wheelchair and manages a lot of things himself again. Carer Henry, who is now a good friend of the couple, only comes by twice a week and supports him with more difficult tasks. The couple have found the perfect solution for themselves. Because Marie knows how overwhelming such a situation can be, she would like to share her tips with you:

 

• InformAsk yourself about your rights and assert them! Even if your employer may not be enthusiastic at first, stand up for your rights and insist on them.

   

• Communicate openly with your employer! Many of those affected want to keep their private life out of their professional life 

  .

   

• It wasn't easy for Marie to approach her employer either. But she also realized that she couldn't do either nursing or her job well if she had to juggle both at the same time. In the end, she had a good discussion with her line manager and taking time off work and care leave made the restructuring much easier for her.

   

• Use available support services! Here too, the inhibition threshold may be high, but there is no shame in seeking help. You don't have to do it alone! Platforms such as noracares can make it easier for you to find suitable caregivers. Self-help groups and advice services for family caregivers can also provide valuable support.

   

• Pay attention to your own health and balance! The new situation can be very stressful. Make sure you take regular breaks and time for yourself. Otherwise you'll burn out quickly and you won't be able to be there for your loved ones.

   

Conclusion

 

At noracares, we also understand how important these regulations are for family caregivers. While care leave helps with acute care needs in the short term, care leave offers a long-term solution for the comprehensive care of a close relative.

 

The fact that these two options are firmly anchored in Austrian law is very, very important and enables those affected to reconcile their professional obligations with their family care responsibilities.

 

For many relatives, it is reassuring to know that they are not alone in the event of a sudden need for care and that there are legal measures to help them cope with this difficult time. Especially if you are responsible for a biological, adopted or foster child living in your household.

 

We were particularly impressed by how Marie found the time she needed to focus on caring for her partner by combining care leave and nursing leave, while also finding a long-term solution with the help of a caregiver. The fact that these two options exist and can be chosen clearly shows the difference between care leave and carer's leave."

 

This way, we would also like to show you ways to maintain a balance between care and work.