Moederschapsverlof

Moederschapsverlof, or maternity leave, is a period of absence from work granted to mothers after childbirth. In the Netherlands, this leave is legally mandated and offers significant protection to expectant mothers. The standard duration for moederschapsverlof is 16 weeks. This period can be divided into two parts: a period before the birth and a period after the birth. The mother is entitled to begin her maternity leave no earlier than six weeks before the expected due date and no later than the birth itself. The remainder of the leave is then taken after the baby is born.

During moederschapsverlof, employed women in the Netherlands receive a benefit from their employer, typically paid by the UWV (Employee Insurance Agency). This benefit is usually 100% of the salary, capped at the maximum daily wage. This ensures financial stability for the mother during her recovery and bonding time with her newborn. The employer is obligated to hold the position for the employee during her maternity leave, guaranteeing her return to work. This legal framework aims to support new mothers and facilitate a healthy transition back into the workforce. The specific regulations and entitlements can be found in Dutch labor law and are often detailed further in individual employment contracts or collective labor agreements.