The legislator allows an employee to be absent without pay beyond the period of 12 weeks when his presence is required with his minor child who has suffered a serious bodily injury due to a criminal offence rendering him unable to carry on his regular activities (for example: inability to attend school). The total duration of the absence may not exceed 104 weeks (including the initial 12 weeks) and is calculated from the first day of absence. This absence only applies in the case where the employee’s child is a minor.

Hence, it is important that the victim suffered his serious bodily injury at the time of the commission of a criminal offence or that the injury results from such a criminal offence.