Supporting parenthood is important for our Organization and we aim to make the administrative steps relating to the birth of a child as simple as possible.

You can now extend your maternity leave by up to four additional weeks, to facilitate breastfeeding, simply by asking. A medical certificate is no longer needed.

These additional weeks are added to the maternity leave already provided under the Staff Rules and Regulations:

• 16 weeks for a first child
• 19 weeks from the second child onwards, and in the situations described in article R II 4.23

To extend your leave, simply contact your group or departmental secretariat, who will register it in EDH on your behalf. If you have any questions or need further guidance on maternity leave, our HR Leave team is here to help.

Becoming a parent is an important moment in life. CERN offers a broad range of measures designed to support parenthood and to provide flexibility, such as family-related benefits, parental leave and easier access to part-time work.

If you would like to discuss your situation or explore the options available to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to your HRA or HRC for support.

This change is part of a broader reflection on parental benefits, including ongoing studies and analysis, that is being undertaken jointly by the Staff Association and the Management.