For a better consideration of families
The social and economic conditions for families were last brought up to date during the 2005 five-yearly review.
Since then, societal developments in the Member States have enabled the modernization of practices in this area in order to favour the work/life balance.
In our staff survey in the Autumn of 2013, we asked some questions about certain aspects of the policy of the Organization on this subject.
Special leave for family reasons
Employed members of the personnel are entitled to paid or unpaid leave for family reasons (i.e. maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, parental leave, leave in the event of illness of a close relative, leave for family events and compassionate leave, see https://cern.ch/admin-eguide/Conges/proc_conges_fam.asp
For the birth of a child the Staff Association proposes to extend maternity leave from the current 16 weeks to 20 weeks. To assist the mother during the first important months for the new baby, it is also proposed to extend paternity leave from the current six days to four weeks. This is in line with developments in most Member States, the European Union, and many international organizations. Figure 1 shows that a majority of staff considers paternity leave too short. Such a measure is in line with an improved sharing of responsibilities by both parents in the education of the child; a demand somewhat more clearly expressed by women. Maternity and paternity leave are paid at 100%.
In the area of special leave for family reasons, the Organization introduced in 2007 an unpaid parental leave, with a minimum of ten days and a maximum of three months (to be taken in one or more instalments during the first 36 months from the birth or adoption of the child). Figure 2 shows that the duration seems to be considered adequate by the majority.
On the other hand, usage statistics and feedback from colleagues indicate that the sudden loss of income (no remuneration) severely limits the appeal of parental leave beyond one month. To make it more attractive, partially paid parental leave would be more interesting, even if such a measure does not have unanimous support in the responses to the survey (see Fig. 3).
More generally, there is a compassionate leave in order to take care of a close relative (e.g., serious illness, end of life). As for parental leave, compassionate leave is for a minimum of ten days and a maximum of three months per leave year. The Staff Association proposes that compassionate leave (duly justified) be partially paid.
Infant allowance
The current conditions of family life have changed. When both parents work it is difficult to find child care in the area for infants under the age of three years, and in any case this service is very expensive (between 2000 and 3000 CHF per month).
In 2007 an infant allowance of 200 CHF was introduced for each dependent child under the age of three years. It is proposed to increase this allocation to bring it closer to the cost of care or nursery mentioned.
Education fees
The Organization pays education fees to staff members for each dependent child in full-time attendance at an educational establishment recognized by the competent national authority, or following vocational training. For several decades, these fees have not been adjusted to reflect changes in the cost of education in most of the Member States and a significant deficit compared with the fees reimbursed by other Organizations has been observed. It is proposed to reduce this difference.
