Lithuania's September 1st Leave Rules Change for Working Parents

Lithuanian parents will soon see changes in how they take time off to accompany their children on the first day of school. Starting September 1st, the current Labor Code grants employees raising a child under 14, who is in preschool or primary/basic education, at least half of their workday off. This time off is a guaranteed right and does not need to be worked back.

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If an employee is entitled to a "mom/dad day" and wants to accompany their child to the September 1st celebration, they should use this additional day off.

However, this specific guarantee will cease to exist after this year. Beginning in 2027, the system will shift to an expanded version of "mom/dad days." Currently, these extra days off are granted based on the number of children and their age (under 12, or under 18 with a disability). The new system will extend this benefit to parents of children up to 14 years old.

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If they have already used it, they can negotiate with their employer for unpaid time off, free days, or annual leave.

Lawyer Eglė Tamavičiūtė from COBALT law firm advises employees to assess their entitlements early and inform their employers. She notes that parents can use their existing "mom/dad days" for the September 1st event. If these days are already used, employees can negotiate unpaid time off, free days, or annual leave with their employers. Tamavičiūtė emphasizes that these rights apply to both parents or those who are the primary caregivers.

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All these rights belong to both parents or employees who are actually raising the children.

Employers must proactively manage their teams to ensure operational continuity when multiple employees request time off. While the law doesn't specify a notice period, Tamavičiūtė recommends employees provide at least five working days' notice, especially in smaller teams or when many staff members might request the day off. This advance planning is crucial for maintaining business operations.

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The employer cannot refuse to grant the employee the time off to which they are entitled on the first day of the school year or a mom/dad day.