Who is entitled to a mom day or dad day?
According to the lawyer, currently additional paid rest time is granted to employees raising:
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- one child up to 12 years old – one day every three months;
- two children up to 12 years old or a child with a disability up to 18 years old – one day per month;
- three or more children up to 12 years old or two children up to 12 years old, when at least one of them has a disability – two days per month.
According to R. Joskaudienė, the employee’s average wage is paid for this rest time. If entitled to a mom day or dad day, it can be requested specifically for September 1st.
“However, it is important to understand: the employer cannot deny the very right to a mom day or dad day, but the specific date must be agreed upon. If the employer cannot grant the day off at the employee’s chosen time, the parties must agree on another day, and the entitled rest time cannot simply be canceled. Therefore, a last-minute request may mean that the employer will not agree to grant the mom day specifically on September 1st and will suggest another date,” explains R. Joskaudienė.
Who is entitled to a paid half-day off?
According to the lawyer, an employee who is not entitled to a mom day or dad day but who is raising a child up to 14 years old, studying according to a pre-primary, primary, or basic education program, is entitled to paid free time of no less than half a working day on the first day of the school year.
“The average wage is also paid for this time.
It is important that the mom day and the half-day off on September 1st are not two guarantees granted together. If the employee is entitled to a mom day or dad day, the additional paid half-day off does not apply to them,” said the lawyer.
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What to do today?
R. Joskaudienė urges to submit a written request to the employer, clearly indicating:
- which guarantee you are using;
- which day and at what time you request to be released from work;
- the child’s age and education program, if you are requesting the half-day off on September 1st.
Sample wording:
“I request that on September 1, 2026, I be granted the additional rest day established in Article 138 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Lithuania / paid free time of no less than half a working day, with payment of the average wage.”
“Do not leave this matter for the morning of September 1st. The earlier you inform the employer, the less likely a dispute will arise regarding work organization or the chosen free time.
Rights are best protected when they are taken care of in time.
By the way, from January 1, 2027, this procedure will change: mom days and dad days will be available to employees raising children up to 14 years old, and the separate paid half-day guarantee on September 1st will no longer exist,” explained R. Joskaudienė.
