Because the maternity protection law regulates working hours
The Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) aims to protect the health of expectant mothers and their unborn children. It regulates not only hiring bans and protection against dismissal, but also the maximum daily working hours, the organization of breaks, the permissibility of night work and much more.
Regulation of working hours is particularly important, as excessive work or long shifts during pregnancy can endanger both mother and baby. Employers are therefore obliged to adapt working conditions and working hours so that there is no danger.
You can find more information about working during pregnancy here.
Maximum working hours: how long can pregnant women work?
A pregnant worker is allowed no more than 8.5 hours a day work, regardless of whether she is employed full-time or part-time. This limit applies to all expectant mothers, even if they feel physically fit.
Break times and recovery breaks
Do pregnant women have more breaks?
YES. The Maternity Protection Act ensures that pregnant women can take sufficient breaks.
- Already after 4.5 hours of work must have a break of at least 30 minutes be granted.
- After 6 hours of work it’s a break from at least 45 minutes mandatory.
- Additional rest breaks are possible if the work is physically demanding or if your doctor recommends it.
These policies are intended to avoid overload and ensure that the employee has sufficient time to recover. Employers are obliged to plan breaks to accommodate the needs of pregnant women.
Work after 8pm: what rules apply to pregnant women?
The Maternity Protection Law prohibits the hiring of pregnant women between 8pm and 6am Exceptions are only possible in rare cases if the woman expressly consents, a medical certificate is available and the competent authority agrees. In practice, however, such exceptions are very rare.
I work weekends and shift work
Weekend work according to the Maternity Protection Law: Can pregnant women work on weekends?
Pregnant women are allowed not on Sundays and public holidays Work. Only with express consent and if a Replacement rest day is guaranteed, exceptions are possible, for example in systemically important professions or in the event of an emergency.
Shift work during pregnancy: what the law on maternity protection provides
Shift work is problematic because it often involves night work. As soon as a shift goes beyond 8pm or has too few breaks, the employer must adjust the working hours or transfer the pregnant woman to the day shift.
Medical visits and preventive tests
Are pregnancy exams working hours?
AND, Visits to the doctor during pregnancy are considered working time, if they take place during normal working hours and cannot be rescheduled to another date outside.
According to § 7 MuSchG, the employer must pay for this time in the same way as normal working hours. This also applies to preventive visits to the gynecologist, which are scheduled regularly.
Standing activities: how long are they allowed?
How many hours a day can you work on your feet during pregnancy?
Constantly standing can pose a danger to mother and baby. The Law on Maternity Protection provides that expectant mothers no more than four hours a day at a time allowed to stand. If possible, seating should be provided.
If a job consists predominantly of standing work (for example in retail or catering), the employer must design the workplace so that sufficient periods of sitting and rest are possible.
Paragraph 13 Maternity Protection Law: individual work bans
What does Article 13 of the Maternity Protection Law say?
This paragraph regulates it ban on individual work, which is determined by a medical certificate. If the work endangers the health of the mother or child (e.g. due to stress, shift work or long working hours), the doctor may prohibit the partial or total employment relationship. In this case, the worker continues to receive pay, while the employer must adapt the working conditions accordingly.
Here you can find more information on the topic of work bans during pregnancy.
How can I reduce my working hours during pregnancy?
A reduction in working hours is possible if:
- a doctor recommends it for health reasons,
- working conditions do not correspond to legal requirements (e.g. night work),
- o overtime is foreseen in the employment contract.
If necessary, employers must not only reduce working hours, but also adapt activities (e.g. eliminating heavy physical work).
Why time tracking is important during pregnancy
Accurate documentation of working hours helps to comply with legal limits and avoid risks. Many employers rely on digital solutions to record working hours transparently and without interruptions.
clockin as support for employers and pregnant women
This can happen especially during pregnancy digital time recording Brings relief:
- Automatic pause adjustment: The system reminds you if the necessary breaks have not been taken.
- Traceability: In the event of a dispute, working hours are clearly documented.
- Flexibility: Employers can more easily see whether working hours need to be changed to comply with the legal requirements of the Maternity Protection Act.
clockin is therefore a simple and safe solution for transparently implementing legal protection rules without additional bureaucratic formalities.
Conclusion: Overview of working hours according to the Maternity Protection Act
The Maternity Protection Act sets clear limits:
- a maximum of 8.5 hours of work per day (including breaks)
- no work after 20 hours and Sundays and public holidays
- Right to consult a doctor during working hours
- Additional breaks and recovery times, if the work is physically demanding.
- possibility that reduce working hours, if the work is physically demanding.
Employers are obliged to respect these rules and adapt working conditions. With digital time recording such as clocking in, it becomes easier to keep an eye on all regulations ensuring transparency and fairness.