Maternity leave and your rights

Questioner

Dear reader, I would like to know if my employer can force me to take 6 weeks of maternity leave. The company where I work has a rule or collective labor agreement that the term of maternity leave is determined in consultation with the manager. My manager contacted me and told me that I have to take 6 weeks of leave because I need his permission. However, I see in the law that you are entitled to 4 to 6 weeks of maternity leave with the only rule that you must take 4 weeks of leave in any case. Can my employer/manager do this? I would rather take 4 weeks of leave. Thanks for the answer.

Lawyer

The text in the CAO is decisive and may deviate from the statutory regulation. In principle, however, you may decide for yourself when you wish to be eligible for maternity leave. The permission of your manager is usually not required for this. I advise you to consult the relevant article in the collective labor agreement again.