|
|
|
French Employment Law - Maternity Leave
in France
As a general rule, the length of maternity leave in France depends first and foremost on the number of children which the salaried female employee has in her charge; prior to the pregnancy considered.
· if, prior to the pregnancy considered, the salaried employee has at least two children in her charge, then the period of maternity leave will be 16 weeks i.e. 6 weeks before the planned date of the birth and 10 weeks after that date
· if the salaried employee has more than two children in her charge prior to the pregnancy considered, then the period of maternity will increase to 26 weeks i.e. 8 weeks before the planned date of the birth and 18 weeks after that date
The above periods may be extended in the event of a medical condition linked to the pregnancy. It may also be increased by certain local or collective bargaining arrangements applicable within a particular undertaking.
During the period of maternity leave, the contract of employment is held to be suspended, but this period is nevertheless assimilated to a period of effective working time; notably in regard to any rights in the employee’s favour such as length of service etc.
However, in the absence of a specific local agreement or a particular provision of a collective bargaining agreement, the employer is not obliged to maintain the salary of the employee during the period of maternity leave.
|
