Maternity Policy
MNU supports women to continue and progress in their careers and studies through pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. Staff receive six months of paid maternity leave, paid nursing breaks and flexible working arrangements. Pregnant students and student parents can use leave, flexible learning and special assessment provisions to continue their studies without academic disadvantage.
Our provisions in 2025
During 2025, maternity support at MNU was governed by the Government maternity procedure MNU follows, the Employment Act (Law No. 2/2008) and MNU’s Policy for Flexible Working Arrangements for Pregnant Staff and Staff with Infants (in effect since 1 May 2017). Under these:
- Paid maternity leave: eligible staff received six months of paid maternity leave.
- Flexible working: pregnant staff and staff with infants could apply for flexible working hours, short breaks during the working day and, where the role allows, to work from home.
- Nursing breaks: staff caring for a child under two could take a 30-minute break during working hours on request.
Strengthening our commitment in 2026
The Maternity Policy (MNU/UC/2026/12), approved by the University Council on 27 October 2026, brings these provisions together and extends them.
For staff
- Paid leave: six months of paid maternity leave. Up to 28 further days are available under the Employment Act if a doctor certifies that the mother or baby is unwell.
- Unpaid leave: up to one year of unpaid leave after maternity leave, which can be shared if both parents work at MNU.
- No effect on careers: maternity leave does not affect continuity of employment, promotion or other employment rights. Staff return to work without disadvantage.
- Nursing breaks: two fully paid 30-minute breaks every working day for childcare until the child turns two.
- Workplace adjustments: reasonable adjustments during pregnancy, subject to operational needs.
For students
- Right to continue: pregnancy alone does not stop a student from continuing their studies or taking part in University activities.
- Study arrangements: where pregnancy affects academic requirements, students can use flexible learning, academic advising, special examination provisions and adjusted attendance arrangements.
- Leave and return: students can take leave, defer or apply for special consideration for childbirth, with support to return without academic disadvantage.
These provisions work alongside MNU’s general student support: the Academic and Pastoral Support Policy, [Student Leave of Absence Procedures], the [Policy on e-Learning], and the Assessment Policy with its Assessment Variation Procedures.
Fathers’ leave and parent support are covered by the Paternity and Parent Support Policy. See Paternity Policy.
In practice
In 2025, 10 staff took maternity leave, and all 10 returned to work afterwards. Five of them used flexible working arrangements on their return.
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