The Local Staff Committee Munich (Representation of the EPO's Staff) Explains When Cluster of Pregnancies May Result in Reduced Pay

posted by Roy Schestowitz on Oct 16, 2025

"...even one week of part-time working is sufficient to reduce the salary you perceive during the entirety of your maternity leave."

Earlier this week: Is the Second-Largest Institution in Europe (EPO) Gradually Becoming More Like a Sweatshop? (EPO gradually aims at more low-paid workers)

This past summer: The History and the Policy of the EPO's Stance on Breastfeeding (Corporate Monopolies Versus Babies' Health)

"A few additional points to the Office parenthood announcements and FAQ" were shared by the EPO's Local Staff Committee Munich (LSCMN) this week. They said: "In 2024, a reform has brought a new parenthood scheme, and a tool to register parenthood has been introduced. A comprehensive FAQ is also available, as well as a list of allowances available to parents. We welcome the intranet publication and would like to add a few additional points that you can find in this non-exhaustive guide."

The publication is not long and there are some interesting items in it: (we'll comment on them separately at the bottom so as to avoid editing otherwise-verbatim copies:

Örtlicher Personalausschuss München Innenstadt, Haar und Brüssel
Local Staff Committee Munich City, Haar and Brussels
Le Comité local du Personnel de Munich Ville, Haar et Bruxelles

Munich, 15-10-2025
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A guide on how to navigate pregnancy and after
at the Office

You’re pregnant, congratulations! This guide is here to help you deal with different aspects of becoming a parent at the EPO.
In 2024, a reform has brought a new parenthood scheme, and a tool to register parenthood has been introduced. A comprehensive FAQ is also available, as well as a list of allowances available to parents.
We welcome the publication and would like to add a few additional points.

Important time-related aspects to consider during your pregnancy
On one hand, if you feel tired at the end of your pregnancy and are considering reducing your working time, be aware that, even one week of part-time working is sufficient to reduce the salary you perceive during the entirety of your maternity leave.
On the other hand, if you want to work longer the recommended 6 weeks before the due date, by providing a medical certificate from your doctor you can postpone the start of your maternity leave. Be aware that any day of sickness taken within the 6 weeks before due date will automatically start your maternity leave.

FAQ Point 12 Nursing rooms
Nursing rooms are available in all EPO offices.
You are allowed to breastfeed during working hours without effect on your salary. You may discuss the necessary arrangements to support you, such as the number of breaks and duration, with your line manager. Line managers will take into account personal and family circumstances of nursing staff members when assessing performance.
However, no time budget is available for you when you nurse your child or express milk by pumping.

Allowances
German Kindergeld
The German Bundeskindergeldgesetz (BKGG) – 4 and Einkommensteuergesetz (EStG) state that the Kindergeld shall not be payable in respect of a child for whom a comparable benefit can be granted by an intergovernmental or supranational body. If you receive Kindergeld (either as an Office employee or your spouse) you are required to contact your Familienkasse and report your employment with an International Organisation, as well as the receipt of a like allowance.

Doubled Young child allowance (careful 1 year)
The YCA monthly lump sum will increase to Euro 822 if the invoice for a regularly attending childcare facility exceeds Euro 822.

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We draw your attention that you are required to ask for it through a form found in MyFips (under Remuneration elements), and to the fact that the attendance must be of at least one year.

Bayerisches Familiengeld (ZBFS)
This is a new allowance paid by the Bavarian Free State for children as of 13 months and up to 36 months (3 years) old and is of Euro 250. This is not comparable to any of the allowances provided by the EPO and therefore is not deducted from any EPO payments.

Sincerely yours,

The Local Staff Committee Munich

Many companies have a policy for pregnancies (some small companies do not, it's ad hoc). Breastfeeding at the EPO was discussed some months ago.

Like many of our generation, my wife and I decided to be childfree. However, some couples do choose and do want children, as otherwise demographies and cultures change based on inward immigration and cultures that encourage a lot of breeding.

Remember that the EPO does not work for Europe. Today's EPO works purely for corporations and litigation firms. Most of them are not European. █