Procedure descriptions

Maternity pay

Are you only able to work with severe restrictions or not at all due to work restrictions or an employment prohibition during your pregnancy? In such a case, you will receive maternity pay from your employer. This also applies if you have a mini job.

The maternity pay is intended to ensure the income of the pregnant mother and prevent reductions in earnings. It is therefore comparable with continued payment of remuneration in case of illness.

The amount of the payment is based on your average gross earnings

  • of the last 13 weeks
  • or the last three months prior to the first month of pregnancy.

The payment obligation of the employer comes to an end

  • during the maternity period (six weeks before and eight weeks after the birth) and
  • if a miscarriage occurs or an abortion takes place.

Note: All employers must pay a contribution to the health insurance companies with which employees are insured (U2 contribution). In return, the responsible health insurance company reimburses the expenses of the employer for the maternity pay following an application. This also applies to holders of mini jobs.

Responsible department

The employer must pay the maternity pay.

Details

Prerequisite

You can obtain maternity pay if the following applies to you:

  • If you work involves heavy physical activities or work with high risks to health and your employer cannot reassign you to a suitable role or
  • if you worked before 6 am or after 8 pm or on Sundays before becoming pregnant and you received premiums for this or
  • if your employer can only alter the working time in a limited manner and can only then employ you for part of your previous hours or
  • if you receive a statement by a doctor concerning your employment prohibition.

Procedure

You must submit a certificate concerning an individual employment prohibition to your employer as soon as possible.

Required documents

in case of an employment prohibition issued by a doctor: the certificate

Costs

The costs of the certificate relating to an employment prohibition issued by a doctor are borne by the pregnant employee.

Release note

The German original version of this text was drafted in close cooperation with the relevant departments. The Wirtschaftsministerium released it on 21.12.2017. Only the German text is legally binding. The Federal State does not assume any liability for the translated texts.In cases of doubt or if you have any questions or problems, please contact the relevant authorities directly.