Maternity Insurance

Duration and Work Resumption Restriction

• Maternity leave lasts for a full 4 months.
• Returning to work is not permitted during the first 8 weeks after childbirth, for health and recovery reasons.
• Upon request, the employee may be released from work up to one month before the expected due date.

Leave Flexibility

• The second half of the leave (i.e., the last 2 months) can be taken as a reduced work rate (e.g., part-time work).
• This option must be agreed upon with the supervisor.

Leave Sharing

• If both parents work within the ETH Domain, they may share the second half of the leave according to their needs and preferences.
• This allows for a better distribution of family responsibilities.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Protection

→ See the dedicated pages from the Health, Safety and Prevention unit

Administrative Procedures

• The birth must be reported as soon as possible by sending a copy of the birth certificate or family record book to the Social Insurance Service, with a copy to your HR generalist or HR manager.
• You will then receive:
  • The maternity APG form (for loss of earnings compensation)
  • The family allowance application form
• These documents must be returned within one month.

In Case of Adoption

• The adoption of children up to the age of six, or children with disabilities, entitles the employee to two months of fully paid leave.
• If the child’s father also works within the ETH Domain, the parents may share this leave reduction as they see fit.

For More Information:

→ Equal Opportunity Office page

→ ETH Domain Personnel Ordinance (see Art. 37)