When must I notify my employer of my pregnancy?
No legislation in the Czech Republic specifies the obligation or deadline to notify the employer of pregnancy. In general, it is recommended to announce pregnancy once it is already stable, i.e. after the end of the first trimester. Until you notify your employer of your pregnancy, legal measures to protect pregnant women do not apply to you.
If you are performing work prohibited for pregnant employees, you must inform your employer immediately upon learning of your pregnancy. Such work could endanger you and your unborn child.
What are the employer's obligations for pregnant and breastfeeding employees and employee-mothers until the end of the ninth month after childbirth?
The employer is obliged to:
- where exposure to risk factors to the fetus in the mother's body could be present, inform the worker;
- Inform about the risks and their possible effects on pregnancy, breastfeeding, or the health of pregnant employees, employees who are breastfeeding, and employee-mothers until the end of the ninth month after childbirth;
- to take the necessary measures for such workers, including those relating to the reduction of the risk of mental and physical fatigue and other types of mental and physical stress;
- provide adapted rest areas at the workplace.
Section 103 (1) (h) of Act No. 262/2006 Coll., the Labor Code
What types of work are prohibited for pregnant, breastfeeding employees, and employee-mothers until the end of the ninth month after childbirth?
It is prohibited to assign:
- employees work that endangers maternity;
- a pregnant employee, an employee who is breastfeeding and an employee-mother until the end of the ninth month following childbirth work for which they are not medically fit, according to medical opinion.
Types work and workplaces prohibited for these employees are set out in a the Decree of the Ministry of Health.
I found out I was pregnant, and the work I do is forbidden for pregnant women. What should I do now?
Your employer must transfer you to other suitable work if:
- you perform work that is prohibited for pregnant women;
- you perform work that, according to a medical opinion, endangers your pregnancy;
- you work night shifts and request daytime work.
If the employer does not have another suitable job to which you can be transferred, this is an obstacle on the part of the employer. A pregnant woman in this case stays at home with 100% compensation.
Section 41 (1) (c) of Act No. 262/2006 Coll., the Labor Code
Section 41 (1) (g) of Act No. 262/2006 Coll., the Labor Code
Can a pregnant woman work overtime?
No.
Pregnant employees must not work overtime. Similarly, employers are not allowed to require overtime work from employees who care for a child under the age of 1 year.
Can I breastfeed my baby at work?
An employer is obliged to provide an employee who is breastfeeding her child, in addition to regular work breaks, special breaks for breastfeeding, which are included in the working hours and compensated with a wage or salary equivalent to the average earnings.
If you work for a set weekly working time, you are entitled to:
- for each child under 1 year old: two 30-minute breaks per shift
- for the next 3 months: one 30-minute break per shift.
If you work shorter hours, but at least half of the week's working time, you are entitled to a 1 half hour break for each child under 1 year old.
Are there any restrictions on lifting loads for pregnant employees, breastfeeding employees and employee-mothers until the end of the ninth month after childbirth?
Yes, hygiene limits for handling loads are set by the Decree of the Ministry of Health.