"Parental hour" law comes into effect in Armenia

ArmInfo.Starting today, the "parental hour" law has officially taken effect in Armenia. Under this new legislation, working parents—including adoptive parents, foster parents, and legal guardians—are now entitled to temporary absence from their workplace during the business day to attend to  their child's needs, including upbringing, participation in educational processes, and resolving other critical matters related  to the child's well-being.

According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, a parent  raising one or two children under 12 years of age is entitled to up  to 30 minutes per day; a parent raising three or more children under  12 years of age is entitled to up to one hour per day; and a parent  of a child under 18 with severe or profound functional limitations is  entitled to up to one hour per day, regardless of the number of  children.

The "parental hour" is granted based on a written request from the  employee, and employers are legally prohibited from denying it.  During this time, the employee retains their base salary. For  employees paid on a piece-rate system, they will receive their  average hourly wage (excluding bonuses).

Recall, these amendments to the Labor Code were adopted on June 11  with the goal of helping workers more effectively balance their  professional and family responsibilities. By providing this  flexibility, the law aims to assist working parents in managing  childcare, education, and health needs more effectively.   Additionally, the initiative is expected to reduce workplace stress,  enhance social protections for employees, and maintain overall labor  productivity.