Protection of Parenthood in EU Law and its Implementation in Legal Order of the Czech Republic

The article analyses minimal standards of protection of workers taking care of children stated by the Council Directive 2010/18/EU of 8 March 2010 implementing the revised framework agreement on parental leave concluded by BUSINESSEUROPE, UEAPME, CEEP and ETUC and their implementation in the national law of the Czech Republic. These standards comprise, in particular, the right to parental leave granted for at least a period of four months on the grounds of birth or adaptation of a child, maintenance of rights acquired at the beginning of parental leave, non-discrimination on the grounds of an application for, or the taking of, parental leave, return to work from parental leave and time off from work on the grounds of force majeure. The main purpose of mentioned revised framework agreement is to facilitate the reconciliation of parental and professional responsibilities of workers parents. In addition, the right to parental leave as an individual right of men and women workers plays an important role in the achievement of equal opportunities and equality of treatment between men and women in employment and occupation.