Maternity protection measures for expectant or nursing mothers during studies
On 1 January 2018, a new act governing the protection of mothers came into force in Germany. As a result, protection now also applies to expectant or nursing mothers during their studies. The act aims to strike a balance between protecting the health of expectant and nursing mothers and their (unborn) children and upholding women’s rights to make autonomous decisions about their work, training, or degree studies.
Female school or university students and interns are newly included in the act alongside expectant and nursing working mothers, provided their studies require them to be at a certain place at certain times to perform certain tasks or the internship is a mandatory component of their school or university education.
Notification of pregnancy or nursing period
The University will implement the necessary maternity protection measures. To initiate this process, expectant or nursing students at Universität Hamburg need to notify the University of their pregnancy or nursing period. All employees are bound by a duty of confidentiality. Your information will only be passed on within the scope required by law.
Contact the academic office of your main subject to notify the University of your pregnancy or period of nursing. Your contacts in the Socioeconomics Academic Office is Ms Nina Agopova.
Expectant students are asked to inform the Academic Office about their pregnancy and estimated due date as soon as pregnancy has been confirmed. They must also provide a certificate from a physician or midwife.
Once the nursing period has started, students should also contact the academic office of their main subject or the central examination office for teacher training (Zentrales Prüfungsamt für Lehramtsprüfungen, ZPLA) as soon as possible.
Ms. Michalski or Ms. Kramer will discuss the regulations governing maternity protection with you and conduct a risk assessment. This involves an examination of academic requirements during the relevant period. The objective of the risk assessment is to protect you and your unborn child from specific risks.
Our leaflet for expectant and nursing mothers studying at Universität Hamburg (in German only) contains all important information.
Universität Hamburg also offers extensive information and advising services to help students balance their studies and family life. An overview is available on the Campus Center website.