Maternity protection during studies

Legal basis

The new Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) came into force on 01.01.2018. For the first time, female students are also included with this new legal regulation.

Act on the reorganization of maternity protection law of May 23, 2017.

The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth has published a maternity protection guide on the new law.

Brochure: Guide to maternity protection

Maternity protection at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences

As an educational institution, Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is responsible for compliance with the protection regulations during pregnancy, after childbirth and during breastfeeding.

Contact options:

Pregnant students can contact the Family and Equal Opportunity Officer, Ms. Sabine Seibold-Freund (room 18.0407, phone: 03631 420 573, e-mail: sabine.seibold-freundhs-nordhausen.de).

Notification of pregnancy:

In order for us as a training institution to fulfill our obligation to comply with the legal basis, it is important for us that you make use of your right and notify us of your pregnancy. There is no obligation on your part to notify us.

You can only invoke the protective rights of the MuSchG if you notify the university of your expected date of delivery. In your own interest, it is therefore recommended that you notify us as early as possible.

Attendance at examinations:

During the maternity protection period, female students (6 weeks before the calculated date of birth and 8 weeks after birth, 12 weeks in the case of premature and multiple births as well as in the case of children with disabilities) are exempt from participating in study and examination activities. However, if the female student wishes to complete the course and examination work, the above-mentioned deadlines may be waived. Revocation of the waiver is possible at any time, but only before the start of the study and examination performance.

Employment ban:

The Maternity Protection Act stipulates that female employees may not work between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. and on Sundays and holidays (employment ban). Female students are also allowed to work until 10 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays, provided that this is necessary for their studies and they expressly agree to do so in writing.

Other duties of the university:

Potential hazards may arise for the health of mother and child during their studies in various teaching areas (e.g. laboratories and workshops). For this reason, it is important that risk assessments are prepared by the university based on the information on participation in desired courses.