Maternity protection and pregnancy at work

In short: The Maternity Protection Act protects pregnant and breastfeeding employees in Germany from health risks and financial disadvantages. It applies regardless of the type of employment contract.

In more detail: Protection periods apply six weeks before and eight weeks after birth, longer for multiple or premature births.

In detail

• Duty to inform: No legal obligation to report the pregnancy immediately, but sensible for one’s own protection.
• Protection against dismissal: Applies from when the pregnancy becomes known until four months after birth.
• Employment bans: A health-related ban on individual tasks or general employment can apply for hazardous work.
• Maternity pay: Paid by the health insurer or the employer during the protection periods.
• Workplace adjustment: Employers must adjust workplaces to the pregnancy as needed.
• Parental leave afterwards: Parental leave can be applied for directly after maternity protection ends (elterngeld-und-elternzeit-grundlagen).
• Advice: Works council, trade union or specialised counselling services help in cases of uncertainty.