pregnant in education in Belgium

Hi Lola86,
I'm also from Belgium. You should read your contract with the school once. Normally, your maternity leave is 6 weeks before your due date as you said, and this lasts until 8 weeks after your delivery.

As for your right to this, you definitely have that right! I myself just started in July at Familiehulp, and on the very day I was signing my contract, I found out I was pregnant. I informed them and was allowed to stay until the end of my contract. They didn't renew it because I had to be removed from the workplace 14 days later since I would then be 6 months pregnant. With all due respect, it costs them more if they keep me, of course.

What does your contract say? Did you get one school year or more than one school year?
If you've had one school year, the management can say they no longer need you, regardless of whether you're pregnant or not; that's how it works in education. But if you've had more than one school year, they normally can't fire you like that. You need to inform your employer as soon as possible, and then you'll have maternity protection! VERY IMPORTANT, otherwise, the sickness fund can remove you, and you won't have any right to benefits, falling back on the dole.

But make sure to thoroughly inquire at your sickness fund once you have your maternity protection and if you've had a contract longer than one school year, the management CANNOT fire you!

Love, Daphne