Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) expects the introduction of a two-week paid paternity leave to be accepted by employers.
"I assume that the partner exemption will be accepted by the companies," said Paus of the German Press Agency.
The companies are already giving "great thought" to the compatibility of family and career - especially "in a time of shortage of skilled workers", emphasized the family minister.
At the beginning of the year, the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA) reacted with clear rejection of the plans.
Additional paternity leave without legal obligation
It is planned that in future partners will be able to take paid leave for two weeks after the birth of a child without having to take holiday or parental leave as has been the case up to now.
The innovation agreed in the coalition agreement would affect the second parent, i.e. in most cases the fathers - since mothers are released from work after childbirth for a certain period of time anyway due to the statutory rules on maternity leave.
According to Paus, the planned leave of absence should be anchored in the Maternity Protection Act and paid for by the employer.
The introduction is planned for 2024 - and thus much later than expected.
"It has to do with the crisis," Paus explained.
"Since companies are currently experiencing increased energy costs and a difficult time in the crisis, we have pushed back the introduction of the exemption a little."
In general, from the point of view of the Minister for Family Affairs, there should be more companies that offer additional paternity leave without being legally obliged to do so.
That is already the case in some places.
"Especially the first two weeks after the birth of a child are a very important time for both parents," emphasized Paus.
With the exemption, the federal government wants to support the desire of parents for a partnership-based division of tasks.