This lunch-and-talk session will address, in a ‘short and sweet’ manner, issues relating to balancing family life and academic work at Clausthal University of Technology. Experts from the Human Resources department and the Equality Office will explain the rights and obligations during this phase, alongside the services and support measures offered by Clausthal University of Technology.

This training course covers the key provisions of employment law relating to pregnancy, maternity protection and parental leave. The focus is on the protection periods and employment restrictions under the Act on the Protection of Mothers at Work, in Training and at University (Maternity Protection Act - MuSchG), as well as the entitlement to breastfeeding breaks. In addition, the possibilities and limitations of parental leave are explained, as is the option to work part-time during parental leave. The training also covers the deadlines and the required procedures for submitting applications. In addition, the special leave arrangements for maternity protection and parental leave are outlined, in particular how absences affect holiday entitlements and how holiday entitlement is calculated upon return to work.

a) Employment law matters:

• Notification of pregnancy
• Protection against dismissal
• Prohibition on employment, maternity protection
• Parental leave (entitlement, legal basis, notification and granting, etc.)
• Reduction in working hours, irrespective of parental leave
• Breaks for breastfeeding
• Contract extensions, WissZeitVG

The session will cover parental allowance and how it can be shared between partners. To help you return to work, the childcare options available in Clausthal-Zellerfeld will be outlined. You will also receive information on the services and advice offered by the Family Service, as well as on other forms of support available to families.

b) Support from the Family Service

• A ‘roadmap’ through this phase
• Advice on parental allowance and parental leave
• Childcare

General: This course provides you with a roadmap through the stages of starting a family, pregnancy and the early days with your child.