Information on Pregnancy and Maternity Protection for Supervisors and Lecturers
To provide you with the best possible guidance in managing a pregnant employee or student within your area of responsibility, we have compiled important information, as well as additional resources and links, on the following pages.
What is Maternity Protection?
Pregnant and nursing mothers are entitled to special protection regulated by the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG).
The goal of the Maternity Protection Act is twofold: to safeguard the health of pregnant and nursing mothers and their children, and to enable the self-determined continuation of work or studies, as far as it is responsible.
According to §15 Section 1 of the MuSchG, pregnant students or employees at the university should notify the institution of their pregnancy, including the expected due date or birth. However, there is no obligation to report it.
Regardless of a current pregnancy notification, your responsibilities regarding workplace safety are as follows:
- Creation of a general risk assessment (e.g., for chemical laboratories, including the evaluation of hazardous substances) in collaboration with the occupational safety officer
- Training of all employees before starting work or at least once a year (as part of general safety training) and training of all students before they begin work in the laboratory.
Upon notification of a pregnancy or the employment of a nursing mother, your responsibilities are as follows:
- Conduct a pregnancy-specific risk assessment with the employee/student in collaboration with the occupational safety officer. This typically involves verifying whether the individual can leave the workplace or laboratory at any time, access help as needed, and has the opportunity to lie down, sit, and rest under suitable conditions.
- Confirm the completed risk assessment to the trade supervisory authority (signature on the notification form). [Link to "Notification of the Employment of Pregnant or Nursing Women"]
- Ensure compliance with maternity protection for pregnant individuals in the last six weeks before delivery, if the individual has waived their maternity leave period.
- Ensure compliance with maternity protection after delivery (various timeframes per §3 MuSchG), if the individual has waived their maternity leave period. (Note: This applies only to students and trainees.)
Read the FAQs to learn about additional regulations that must be observed. The Guide for Universities on Maternity Protection and the Checklist for Supervisors and Lecturers at the University of Kaiserslautern can provide helpful support.