Navigating Maternity Rights: Essential Guidance for Expectant Employees

Understanding maternity leave, workplace safety, and legal protections is crucial for pregnant employees in Germany.

Pregnant employees are not legally required to inform their employer of their pregnancy unless their job poses potential risks to their health or safety.
Employers must conduct a risk assessment and document any workplace hazards once informed of an employee's pregnancy.
Maternity leave in Germany typically starts six weeks before and ends eight weeks after childbirth, with extensions possible for premature births or multiple births.
Pregnant employees are entitled to maternity pay, consisting of a daily allowance from their health insurance and a top-up from their employer to match their average net salary.
Pregnant workers benefit from strong legal protections against dismissal, which extend from the start of pregnancy to four months after childbirth.