Right to Maternity Care, Protection and Leave for Students

The provisions of the Maternity Protection Act (Mutterschutzgesetz, MuSchG) also apply to pregnant and breastfeeding students. The law thus protects the health of students and their children at the place of study.

The law is intended to enable students to continue their studies as best as possible during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. It also aims to prevent any potential disadvantages that may arise from the implementation of maternity protection measures.

Contents

Maternity protection regulations during studies
How to report pregnancy/breastfeeding
FAQs on maternity protection during studies
Contact, points of contact, and advice

What do the maternity protection regulations mean for my studies?

Risk assessment

Possible hazards are compiled for each degree program in a preliminary assessment.

Preliminary assessment

Depending on your field of study, please contact the respective lecturers/internship supervisors for the current risk assessment of individual courses/internships. In this way, possible risks for you and your child should be excluded. There may be health risks, particularly in the case of science and engineering internships, laboratory activities, excursions, practical sports events or direct contact with children and young people. If, as part of the risk assessment, events or components of the course are assessed as potentially hazardous, protective measures must be taken in individual cases, which may also include bans on participation.

If protective measures are necessary as a result of the risk assessment, the possibility of regulations to compensate for disadvantages must be examined.

As far as responsible, the continuation of your studies should be made possible and any disadvantages for your studies and your course of study should be avoided!

Courses and examinations during the maternity protection period

During the statutory maternity protection period, the university may not allow you to attend courses or take examinations unless you expressly waive your maternity protection and declare your willingness to attend courses and/or take examinations. However, you have the option of revoking this waiver at any time in the future. This means that you can continue your studies during the statutory protection period before and after giving birth!

Time off for examinations / breastfeeding

During pregnancy and while breastfeeding (twelve months after the birth), you can take time off for examinations that are related to the pregnancy or are necessary during maternity.

If requested, you must be released from work as a breastfeeding employee for the time required for breastfeeding, at least half an hour twice a day or one hour once a day.

Ban on working at night and at weekends
The university may not allow pregnant and breastfeeding persons to work between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. without exception. You may attend events between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. and on Sundays and public holidays if you expressly declare your willingness to do so and your participation is necessary for your studies - provided that there is no irresponsible risk to you or your child. You can revoke your declaration at any time for the future.

How do I report my pregnancy or breastfeeding period?

If you would like to notify the university of your pregnancy or breastfeeding period, please send the completed "Pregnancy notification" form together with proof of pregnancy (certificate from a doctor or midwife, maternity assistant/copy of maternity pass) to the Registrar’s Office at

schwanger-im-studium@uv.ruhr-uni-bochum.de

or by post to:

Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Studierendensekretariat
D - 44780 Bochum

You can also register in person during the office hours of the Registrar's Office.

FAQs on maternity protection during studies

What happens after I notify my pregnancy/breastfeeding status?

Once you have notified the Registrar’s Office of your pregnancy, they will forward the notification to the university's Occupational Safety and Environmental Protection Office.

This office will then forward the notification to the district government (the university is legally required to do so under the Maternity Protection Act).

Before doing so, the department will contact you and provide you with information on how to carry out the risk assessment, which will be prepared by the respective teachers/internship supervisors and will involve you in the process.

As a student, am I obliged to report my pregnancy/breastfeeding to the university?

Notifying the university of your pregnancy is voluntary, but it is strongly recommended that you do so as early as possible to protect your health and that of your child.

Notification is also necessary in order for you to be able to invoke the protective rights of the Maternity Protection Act.

During what period do the provisions of the Maternity Protection Act apply?

The provisions of the Maternity Protection Act apply throughout pregnancy, during the period after childbirth, and during breastfeeding.

The statutory maternity protection period generally begins six weeks before the birth and ends eight weeks after the birth.

In the case of premature births, multiple births, or if the newborn has a disability, the period after the birth is extended to twelve weeks.

Can I take a leave of absence due to my pregnancy?

You can take a leave of absence due to pregnancy or maternity leave.

A leave of absence must be applied for at the Registrar's Office within the respective re-registration deadlines.(→ further information here)

Even in the case of a leave of absence, it is possible and recommended to notify the university of your pregnancy. For prior, non-binding advice, you can contact the Central Student Advisory Service:

Kathrin Humpert-Frey
Phone: 0234/32-28319
E-mail: zsb@rub.de

Where can I find the legal basis for maternity protection and further information?

Get all the information you need here:

Who can I contact if I have questions?

Advice is available on all aspects of studying with children and families at the university:

Central Student Advisory Service
Kathrin Humpert-Frey
Phone: 0234/32-28319
E-mail: zsb@rub.de

also

The Occupational Safety and Environmental Protection Unit is available to answer questions about hazards, particularly in the natural sciences:
Dr. Ursula Fornefeld-Schwarz
Phone 0234 32 27070

Pregnant medical students and students who have contact with children and young people during their studies are advised to contact the company doctor at an early stage:
Dr. Kirsten Wiegand
Phone 0234-32 24400

The Family-friendly University provides the overarching infrastructure for family and care issues at RUB and offers services such as vacation care.