Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz, BEEG (The Federal Paternal Benefit and Parental Leave Act)
A worker is entitled to parental benefit if the child lives in the same household as the parent and if the parent does not have a gainful occupation or does not have a full time gainful occupation. This can be partially or totally replaced by maternity benefits. The parents are entitled to parental leave until the child reaches the age of three. If the employer agrees, up to 12 months of that time can be postponed until the child reaches 8 years of age. Both parents can take parental leave simultaneously. For every whole month of parental leave taken by the worker, the employer can reduce the holiday time by 1/12. He cannot dismiss the worker who has asked for parental leave or who is on parental leave, as of 8 weeks before the leave starts.