Can a civil servant or contract worker resign during pregnancy?

Verified 23 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Yes, a civil servant or a contract worker may resign during pregnancy.

Resignation can only result from a written request indicating your unequivocal desire to cease your duties. The letter of resignation must be sent in recommended with acknowledgment of receipt.

The conditions under which the resignation must be submitted vary depending on whether you are a civil servant or a contract worker:

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Public servant

The resignation must be accepted by your employer administration.

You can only leave office at the date set by your employer administration.

If you are probationary official, you must submit your written request at least 1 month prior to the expected date of separation.

If you are regular officialHowever, there is no text setting the deadline for you to submit your request for resignation in advance. However, you must take into account the time available to your employer administration to respond to you

If you are State official, the decision to accept the resignation must be taken within the 4 months following the date of receipt of your resignation letter.

If you are territorial civil servant, the decision to accept the resignation must be taken within theone month following the date of receipt of your resignation letter.

If you are hospital officialHowever, there is no text setting the time limit within which your employer institution must inform you of its decision.

Once accepted, the resignation is irrevocable.

In case of refusal of your resignation, you can refer the matter to the Joint Administrative Commission (JAC). The CAP issues a reasoned opinion, which it forwards to your employer administration.

Contractual

You must respect a advance notice whose duration depends on your seniority:

  • 8 days if your seniority is less than 6 months
  • 1 month if your seniority is 6 months or more and less than 2 years
  • 2 months if your seniority is 2 years or more.

Your seniority is counted until the date of sending of your resignation letter.

It is calculated taking into account all your contracts, including those made before a break in service provided that this break does not exceed 4 months and is not due to a resignation on your part.

Some leave is taken into account when calculating your seniority, including the following:

  • Annual leave
  • Leave for Union Training
  • Leave of representation
  • Leave for vocational training
  • Sick leave
  • Severe Sick Leave
  • Leave for a professional illness
  • Maternity or adoption leave
  • Family solidarity leave
  • Parental Presence Leave
  • Caregiver Leave
  • Leave for family reasons.

Leave not taken into account shall not result in the loss of seniority acquired before its allocation.

If you wish not return to work after maternity leave, you must inform your employer administration by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt at least 15 days before the end of your maternity leave.