Ferda Ataman, the Federal Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, has expressed concern that planned changes to the parental allowance could lead to further disadvantages for parents. She told the “Rheinische Post” that the federal government must ensure that both mothers and fathers are protected from discrimination during the parental allowance reform. Ataman referenced a survey indicating that many employed parents experience discrimination when applying for parental leave, noting that fathers report negative experiences more often than mothers.
Ataman warned that if fathers do not participate in childcare, mothers would be double-disadvantaged: in addition to suffering workplace disadvantages, they would only qualify for nine months of parental allowance. She argued this would be unjust and could increase women’s financial dependence. Consequently, she demanded amendments to the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), stating, “A simple way to protect parents from job disadvantage is to anchor ‘familial care’ as a protected ground within the General Equal Treatment Act.”
Federal Minister for Families, Karin Prien (CDU), proposes reducing the parental allowance period from 14 months to 12 months. Under the new structure, fathers would need to commit to at least three months of caregiving instead of the previous two months to receive the benefit for a full year.
This concerns comes against a 2022 study commissioned by the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency titled “Discrimination Experiences of Caregiving Employees.” According to the study, 30 percent of fathers and 24 percent of mothers reported that their supervisors reacted derogatorily or negatively after the announcement of parental leave.
