Parental leave for fathers

The right to parental leave is defined in Article 37 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. In our country, the basis for granting parental leave is a medical certificate issued by an obstetrician-gynecologist or, if absent, by a general practitioner or feldsher. The medical certificate is issued at 30 weeks of pregnancy (or at 28 weeks in case of multiple pregnancy) for a total duration of 140 calendar days (70 calendar days before delivery and 70 calendar days after delivery) or 194 calendar days (84 calendar days before delivery and 110 calendar days after delivery). Specific provisions are regulated by Article 255 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. Maternity leave is calculated cumulatively and granted fully regardless of the number of days actually used prior to childbirth. After parental leave, according to Article 256 of the Labor Code, upon application by the woman, she is entitled to parental leave until the child reaches three years old. Besides the mother, paternal leave can be taken completely or partially also by the father, grandmother, grandfather, other relative, or guardian who is actually taking care of the child.