It happens suddenly and unexpectedly—a family member suffers a health crisis and is, for the time being, a 'care case.' What now? Who needs to be informed? What needs to be done? The following checklist for sudden, urgent need for care is intended to provide assistance in this serious situation.

The Federal Ministry of Health's care guide answers all the questions you need to know about care. 

The Care Time Act (Gesetz über die Pflegezeit ) came into effect on July 1, 2008, as Article 3 of the Care Development Act. The aim of the Care Time is to enable employees to take a leave of absence without pay but with social security coverage, or to work part-time, to care for and support relatives in need of care for a limited period. Employment is not at risk during the Care Time, as there is a special right of termination for the employee. The maximum Care Time is six months, or three months in cases of limited life expectancy. At least 14 hours per week must be dedicated to caregiving, and weekly work hours must not exceed 30. Additionally, at least care level 1 or a limited life expectancy of a few weeks or months must be documented. To apply for Care Time, notice must be given in writing at least ten days prior to the start, including details of the duration, scope, and documented need for care.

The brochure "Better Compatibility of Family, Care, and Work" ("Bessere Vereinbarkeit von Familie, Pflege und Beruf") from the Federal Ministry explains the legal regulations regarding Care Time and Family Care Time.

To compensate for loss of earnings, there is entitlement to an interest-free loan (Sources: BMFSFJ und "Wege zur Pflege").

Notes from the Association of German States on the impacts of the Care Time and Family Care Time Act (german version only: Hinweise der Tarifgemeinschaft deutscher Länder zu den Auswirkungen des Gesetzes über die Pflegezeit und Familienpflegezeit).

The brochure "Better Compatibility of Family, Care, and Work" (german version only: "Bessere Vereinbarkeit von Familie, Pflege und Beruf") from the Federal Ministry explains the legal regulations regarding Care Time and Family Care Time.

The Family Care Time Act provides employers with an incentive to supplement the income of employees who reduce their working hours to a maximum of 15 hours per week for a period of up to 24 months due to caregiving for a close relative. This means that income is reduced only half as much as working hours. For example, if full-time employees reduce their working hours from 40 to 20 per week to care for relatives, they receive a salary of 75 percent of their last gross income.

To balance this, they must return to full-time work after the Family Care Time, but will initially continue to receive only 75 percent of their salary—until the hours compensated in advance by the allowance are worked back. Employers can finance the allowance interest-free through a federal loan from the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks. The risk of loss due to the death or disability of the caregiver can be covered by a Family Care Time insurance certified by the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks. There is also the possibility to apply for an interest-free loan to compensate for loss of earnings. (Sources:BMFSFJ und "Wege zur Pflege").

Notes from the Association of German States on the impacts of the Care Time and Family Care Time Act (german only: Hinweise der Tarifgemeinschaft deutscher Länder zu den Auswirkungen des Gesetzes über die Pflegezeit und Familienpflegezeit)

Checklist for leave of absence according to the Care and Family Care Time Act (Checkliste Freistellungen nach dem Pflege- und Familienpflegezeitgesetz )

Template for notifying Family Care Time (Muster Ankündigung von Familienpflegezeit)

Template for notifying Care Time (Muster Ankündigung von Pflegezeit)

Template for notifying accompaniment in the final phase of life (Muster Ankündigung der Begleitung in der letzten Lebensphase)

Template for notifying leave of absence for minor dependents_Family Care Time (Muster Ankündigung der Freistellung bei minderjährigen Pflegebedürftigen_Familienpflegezeit)

Template for notifying leave of absence for minor dependents_Care Time (Muster Ankündigung der Freistellung bei minderjährigen Pflegebedürftigen_Pflegezeit)

Medical certificate for accompaniment in the final phase of life (Ärztliche Bescheinigung für die Begleitung in der letzten Lebensphase)

Medical certificate for short-term inability to work (Ärztliche Bescheinigung für die kurzzeitige Arbeitsverhinderung)

Income certificate for calculating care support allowance in cases of short-term inability to work (Entgeltbescheinigung zur Berechnung von Pflegeunterstützungsgeld bei kurzzeitiger Arbeitsverhinderung)

The Service agreements of MHH (e.g. teleworking, mobile working) can be found in the organizational manual. The collective agreements are available on the forms page of Human Resources. If you have further questions, thecontact person in Human Resources are happy to assist you. 

A family member needs care — what now? An overview is provided on the family page of Human Resources with information on maternity protection, parental leave, and caregiving situations. For any questions related to balancing work and care, please feel free to contact your personal HR representative.

Guidelines for employees on part-time employment, leave of absence, parental leave, care time, and family care time.

Application for leave of absence / special leave with continued payment of salary

Since October 1, 2017, MHH has been a partner of Fluxx. With an emergency care service for family caregivers, MHH has expanded its portfolio of family support measures.

Fluxx provides spontaneous care for relatives in need during emergencies, offers advice during care shortages, provides out-of-home support, and arranges transportation services.

Fluxx is an initiative by the City and Region of Hanover and can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at Fluxx phone number 0511 168 32110. For MHH employees, the cost is 3 euros per hour of care. Students are included through the Student Services of Hanover as a partner of Fluxx at a rate of 2 euros per hour.

For more information, visit fluxx-hannover and the Equal Opportunities Office at MHH.

The Emergency Mothers' Service (Notmütterdienst Familien- und Seniorenhilfe e. V.) for Family and Senior Assistance provides short-term, around-the-clock care for seniors in their homes and accompanies them to medical appointments outside the home. Care services, basic care, or household-related services can be financed through funds for respite care and relief payments.