Armenia has introduced “Parental Hour,” a new benefit that lets working parents take paid time off each day to care for their children. The rules officially came into force on July 10, giving eligible parents the legal right to step away from work to look after their kids and be part of raising them.
The measure follows amendments to the RA Labor Code adopted by the National Assembly of Armenia in June during their second and final reading. The legislative package introduced both the new “Parental Hour” provision and more flexible work scheduling arrangements aimed at improving work-life balance.
According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the initiative is designed to help parents better balance their professional responsibilities with family life by allowing them to attend to their children’s educational, health, and other important needs.
Who Is Eligible?
The benefit is available to:
- Biological parents
- Foster parents
- Adoptive parents
- Legal guardians
How Much Time Can Parents Take?
Under the new regulations:
- Parents of one or two children under the age of 12 are entitled to up to 30 minutes of paid leave per working day.
- Parents of three or more children under the age of 12 may take up to one hour of paid leave per working day.
- Parents of a child under 18 with severe or profound functional limitations are entitled to up to one hour of paid leave per working day, regardless of the number of children in the family.
Both mothers and fathers are eligible to use the Parental Hour benefit.
Employers Cannot Refuse Requests
Employees wishing to use the benefit must submit a written request to their employer. Under the new rules, employers are legally prohibited from refusing an eligible employee’s request. During the parental leave period, employees will continue to receive their base salary. Workers paid on a piece-rate basis will receive their average salary, excluding bonuses.
Improving Work-Life Balance
Presenting the amendments before Parliament, RA Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Lusine Kocharyan said the reforms are intended to create a more comfortable and balanced employment relationship for both workers and employers.
She noted that the new “Parental Hour” allows parents to be absent from work while retaining their pay.
“Parents with one or two children under 12 will be able to be absent from work for half an hour, while parents with three or more children will be able to be absent for one hour. Both the father and mother of the child will be able to take advantage of the ‘Parental Hour’,” Kocharyan said.
She also emphasized that parents of children with disabilities under the age of 18 will be entitled to one hour away from work while maintaining their average basic wage, regardless of how many children they have.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs says the introduction of Parental Hour is part of Armenia’s broader efforts to strengthen family support policies and give parents greater flexibility to participate in raising their children without sacrificing their income.
