As of today, the 'Parental Hour' law has come into effect in Armenia, allowing working parents (including foster parents, adopters, and guardians) to temporarily leave work to care for their children, participate in educational processes, and address other important matters.
According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, a parent raising one or two children under the age of 12 is entitled to up to 30 minutes a day; a parent raising three or more children under 12 is entitled to up to one hour a day; and a parent of a child under 18 with severe or profound functional limitations is entitled to one hour a day regardless of the number of children.
The 'Parental Hour' is granted based on a written request from the employee, and the employer cannot refuse it. During this time, the employee's basic salary is preserved, and for piece-rate workers, the average salary is maintained (excluding bonuses).
It is worth noting that amendments to the Labor Code were adopted on June 11 and are aimed at ensuring an effective balance between work and family responsibilities of employees.
This type of leave allows working parents to organize their work and family obligations more flexibly, ensuring necessary oversight over the care, upbringing, and health of their children. At the same time, it contributes to reducing workplace stress, enhancing social protection for employees, and maintaining labor efficiency.
