Working in Italy - Leave: Sickness, Maternity

Sickness Leave

Female and male workers are entitled to paid leave of three working days per year in the event of serious illness or death of their spouse or second degree relative or a partner certified to be cohabiting by appropriate documentation. Different working arrangements may be agreed with the employer in the event of severe illness. Continuous or discontinuous leave of up to two years may be allowed for serious, documented family reasons. The worker is not entitled to receive a salary and the period is not taken into consideration when calculating service seniority for social security purposes.

Other Types of Leave:

Maternity and paternity leave (compulsory leave)

It is forbidden to expect female employees to work for two months prior to and three months following the expected date of childbirth. Before leaving work, the female worker must submit an application on plain paper to the paying institute or INPS and the employer, attaching a medical certificate of pregnancy indicating the expected birth date. Throughout the maternity or paternity leave, a daily allowance is granted equal to 80% of the last salary paid through the social security system [INPS], including any other sickness allowances due.

Parental leave (optional leave)

During the first 8 years of the child’s life, the parents are entitled to take up to 6 months of the year off work. During the period of parental leave, a daily allowance equal to 30% of the last salary payment is due for up to six months and the notional contribution. During the working day, special paid leave is granted to attend prenatal tests and clinical check-ups.

Leave due to child’s illness

During the first 8 years of a child’s life, the parents are entitled to be absent from work when their child is ill. A working mother is entitled to a daily rest period for breast-feeding upon application to her employer.

At the end of the compulsory period of maternity or paternity leave, and optional periods of leave (if taken), female and male workers are entitled to keep their job.

An application must be submitted on the "HAND 4" form (special parental leave) or the "HAND 5" form (special sibling leave). A copy of the application with the INPS receipt must be submitted to the employer.

Text last edited on: 02/2007

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2006
Reproduction is authorised.