Quarantined child: what to do with the job

Content

When does a child have to be in quarantine?
Does the quarantine also apply to parents and siblings?
Quarantined child: do parents have to go to work?
Can I work from home in this situation?
Individual agreement with the employer
Do parents still receive wages?
How much loss of earnings will be reimbursed?
Do you have to take a vacation for the time?
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The increased number of corona infections can also be seen in schools. Contagions lead to closures, students have to stay at home. But what happens if your own child has to be quarantined? Working parents face a challenge: looking after their offspring at home and at the same time fulfilling their obligations at work. Or do special rules apply when a child is in quarantine? We explain what you need to know and answer the most important questions ...

When does a child have to be in quarantine?

Despite precautionary measures, a mask requirement and distance rules, contact and possible infections can occur in school. If a student had direct contact with a classmate who tested positive, the responsible health department can order a 14-day quarantine. If there was an infection, this should minimize further spread.

It does not matter whether the child has symptoms. Quarantine for direct contacts is a precautionary measure and not linked to illness.

Does the quarantine also apply to parents and siblings?

In the case of a contact quarantine, the answer is usually no. For example, if the child had a corona case with a classmate in the class and is therefore in quarantine at home, this does not initially apply to parents or siblings. Even if contact with your own child is not completely absent at home. Parents can continue to work and siblings can go to school.

It is different with an actual illness with COVID-19 of one's own child. In this case, the entire family (and possibly other people from the environment) can be seen as direct contact. Then not only the child is in quarantine, but the whole household. Again regardless of symptoms. Be sure to ask the health department and follow the instructions.

Quarantined child: do parents have to go to work?

If the child is in quarantine but has not tested positive and shows no symptoms, parents can theoretically continue to work. With smaller children who need to be looked after, the question is more likely: Do they have to do it too? In principle, caring for one's own child is placed above professional duties. Whether the offspring is sick and is in quarantine without symptoms is left out.

If there is no other option to look after a child in quarantine, one parent can stay at home if both are working. If only one of the two is employed, the care can be taken over by the other and there is no entitlement to time off. This applies in any case until the child is twelve years old. However, if care is absolutely necessary, this age limit can be exceeded.

Can I work from home in this situation?

Working from home is currently a good option for many employees. If the child is in quarantine, you can stay at home, but you will continue to support the employer and your colleagues. However, you are not allowed to make this decision on your own. It absolutely needs approval from the boss. It is best to speak to them openly and look for a common solution.

Individual agreement with the employer

Since this is an exceptional situation, there is no specifically mapped out path that works best for working parents. It is advisable to find an individual agreement with the employer. Both sides need transparency and a willingness to compromise.

Companies should accommodate employees and not make the situation even more difficult. On the other hand, if the child in quarantine is doing well, parents can show goodwill and try to find another care solution (for example through the grandparents) for some of the time.

Do parents still receive wages?

Anyone who cares for a child in quarantine fears financial losses due to non-payment of wages. In order to compensate for this, compensation for affected employees was regulated in the new Infection Protection Act. Here it says: “A gainfully employed person receives monetary compensation if

Facilities for the care of children, schools or facilities for people with disabilities are temporarily closed by the competent authority to prevent the spread of infections or communicable diseases on the basis of this Act or whose entry is prohibited,
the employed person supervises, looks after or looks after their child, who has not yet reached the age of twelve or is disabled and dependent on help, during this period because they cannot ensure any other reasonable care option, and
the employed person suffers loss of earnings as a result. "

Employees receive their compensation regularly from their employer. This then has a so-called reimbursement claim. He can use this to claim back compensation payments from the state.

How much loss of earnings will be reimbursed?

Unfortunately, it does not fill the entire financial gap. According to the Infection Protection Act, 67 percent of the loss of earnings is reimbursed for those who care for a child in quarantine. However, there is a maximum of 2,016 euros per month.

Every working parent is entitled to this entitlement for a maximum of ten weeks. For single parents, this corresponds to 20 weeks. The period does not have to be in one piece.

Do you have to take a vacation for the time?

The employee must be released to look after the child. If you are temporarily unable to work (Section 616 BGB), you do not have to take vacation. However, parents must inform the boss about this and, if requested, also provide proof. If the child is ill, this is a certificate from the doctor. If the child is in quarantine, it is the official quarantine ordinance.

However, it is possible to reduce existing overtime. The advantage here: parents continue to receive their full salary. There is no financial loss or loss of earnings.