The software company SAP has halted its plans to introduce paternity leave and refers to the fact that the federal government has not yet implemented any measures in this regard. The company had announced in September 2022 that starting from the beginning of the year, fathers and other partners would be allowed six weeks of paid leave after the birth of their child. However, this regulation remains on hold for the time being as SAP reconsiders its implementation due to the government's lack of action.

Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus from the Green party announced in an interview in November 2022 that paternity leave should be implemented in 2024. In the spring of 2023, she also mentioned a planned "family start time" that should be anchored in the Maternity Protection Act.

This includes paid leave of two weeks for partners after the birth of a child. According to Paus, it is important to support parents in their desire for an equal division of family work and to give them time for each other and the baby.

The planned law would mean the implementation of an EU directive in Germany. The ministry had already announced in September that the draft law would be discussed within the federal government. However, the ministry did not want to comment on a specific time when asked at the time.

Now, however, there are still open questions regarding the timing of the legislative project, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs.

The planned regulation should offer fathers and partners the opportunity to fully care for their family after the birth of their child while being paid. SAP was the first German company to announce this model, but the lack of implementation is now causing discontent and uncertainty.

In times of the discussion about the compatibility of family and career, the introduction of paternity leave is an important step to strengthen the role of fathers in childcare and promote an equal division of family work.