Maternity and paternity leave
Article 16
1. An expert shall be subject to the rules in force in the GSC as regards maternity and paternity leave. 2. Where the national legislation of the employer grants longer maternity leave, at the expert's request and after prior agreement of the employer, the secondment shall be suspended for the period exceeding that granted by the GSC. In that case, a period equivalent to the suspension shall be added at the end of the secondment if the interests of the GSC warrant it. 3. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the expert may apply for a suspension of the secondment to cover the whole of the period allowed for maternity, after prior agreement of the employer. In that case, a period equivalent to the suspension shall be added at the end of the secondment if the interests of the GSC warrant it. 4. Paragraphs 2 and 3 shall also apply to the cases of adoption.