Statutory maternity leave provisions

The protection of mothers at work and during training or studies act (Act on the Protection of Mothers at Work, in Training and at University - MuSchG) safeguards the health of women and their children in pregnancy, after childbirth and during the nursing period. To claim this protection as a student, you need to inform the academic office of your pregnancy or nursing period.
The following text provides you with all the important regulations and details.

Pregnancy

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 onto the extent required by law.

Report your pregnancy or nursing period to Vera Roth. Students with a minor in economics need to contact the academic office that is responsible for their main subject,

Vera Roth will discuss the regulations governing maternity protection with you and conduct a risk assessment. This involves an examination of academic requirements and conditions during the relevant period. The risk assessment is intended to protect you and your unborn child from specific risks.

Periods of employment prohibition for mothers (§ 3 MuSchG, Act on the Protection of Mothers at Work, in Training and at University)

The employer cannot request an expectant mother to work during the last 6 weeks before childbirth (employment prohibition before childbirth), unless she explicitly declares her willingness to work. She is entitled to withdraw the declaration described in Sentence 1 at any time with future effect. The employer cannot request an expectant mother to work until the end of the 8th week after childbirth (employment prohibition after childbirth). In cases of premature birth in the medical sense or multiple birth the period of employment prohibition is extended to 12 weeks . If a disability is diagnosed in the newborn within 8 weeks of birth, the period of employment prohibition may be extended to 12 weeks upon request.

What should I do if I am nursing

Once your nursing period has started, contact Vera Roth responsible for your degree program as soon as possible. A room is provided for breastfeeding your child in the building at Von-Melle-Park 5. Contact the service staff in the porter’s lodge on the ground floor to unlock the door. There is also a nursing room located in the Faculty of Psychology (VMP5, entry B, 4th floor) and another in the AStA wing (VMP 5, ground floor). For all other information on the nursing rooms and all other rooms, consult the campus map.

Any questions left unanswered?

Our maternity protection regulations for expectant and nursing mothers studying at Universität Hamburg contains all the 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.