Are you entitled to pregnancy-related absences in the public service?

Verified 04 November 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

As a civil servant or as a contract worker, you may be granted leave of absence during your pregnancy for various reasons. You may also be granted leave for medical procedures necessary for assisted reproduction (PMA).

Pregnancy

As a public official (probationary official or holder or contract employee), you may be granted the following absence authorizations, if service requirements allow:

  • From the beginning of 3e month of pregnancy, up to one hour per day, on the advice of the occupational doctor
  • To attend childbirth preparation sessions that cannot take place outside your working hours. These leave authorizations are granted on the advice of the occupational doctor in the light of the proof of appointment.
  • To attend the compulsory pre- or post-partum medical examinations provided for by the Health Insurance
  • For breastfeeding up to one hour per day to be taken in 2 doses if your administration has a nursery. In the absence of a nursery, the administration may also grant leave to breastfeed if the proximity of the child's place of custody so permits.

These absences are paid. They shall be considered as periods of actual work.

Assisted Human Reproduction (ART)

If you receive a Assisted Reproductive Technology (MAP), you may be granted leave of absence for the necessary medical procedures.

The person who lives with you may also be absent to take part in up to 3 of the medical procedures required for each assisted reproductive technology protocol. It must also be a public official or employee of the private sector and service requirements must be able to do so.

The duration of the absence shall be proportionate to the duration of the document received.

These absences are paid. They shall be considered as periods of actual work.