Policy concerning pregnancy

Subpolicy

DTU operates with the objective of ensuring a sound and responsible working environment to enable pregnant employees to continue working safely throughout their pregnancy.

DTU’s policy is for a decision to be made concerning the need for modifications to the pregnant woman’s work tasks immediately the pregnancy is notified.

In the event that work tasks – or parts thereof – cannot be performed safely by the pregnant woman, an application must be made for reassignment to tasks that can be performed safely. It may be possible for parts of certain tasks to be taken over by other employees. In such cases everyone is expected to show understanding that a pregnant colleague may need to be relieved of certain duties, and that she may be unable to perform certain tasks while pregnant.

In very special situations, where it is not possible to modify the work to eliminate any risk to the pregnant employee, she must be excused from her normal work. Being excused from normal work may entail reassignment to other work or, if this is not possible, medical leave. Full salary will be paid in connection with this type of medical leave.

Applicability

The Policy concerning Pregnancy applies to all DTU’s female staff.

Roles and responsibilities

 The assessment of work tasks and the workplace is the duty of the supervisor and the pregnant employee jointly:

• The pregnant employee is responsible for informing her supervisor of her pregnancy.
• If the pregnant employee has certain work tasks involving known risk factors, a special risk assessment must be produced.
• Work tasks involving risk factors must not be performed until they have been assessed and deemed safe.
• It is the supervisor’s responsibility to initiate the risk assessment to be performed by the employee herself jointly with the supervisor, the work environmental representative, and, where appropriate, the Working Environment Division.

See Guide to workplace assessment for pregnant employees.

References

Danish Working Environment Authority’s Guidelines A.1.8 "Gravides og ammendes arbejdsmiljø" (Working Environment Factors Affecting Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers) (in Danish only).

Approval and entry into force

The Policy concerning Pregnancy was was approved by the Executive Board and discussed by the Cooperation and Joint Consultation Committee (HSU) in March 2017.

The policy becomes effective from the time it is published on DTU Inside.

Revocation and amendment

The Policy concerning Pregnancy may be amended at 1 month’s notice following review by the Cooperation and Joint Consultation Committee. Any amendments shall be published via DTU Inside.