With the aim of ensuring equal pay for equal work or work of equal value, the European Pay Transparency Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/970, the "Directive") came into force on June 6, 2023. The Directive provides for even...more
Young technology companies are focused on developing their products and bringing VC investors on board. Every euro in the budget counts, personnel is often limited, and legal advice can be expensive. For these reasons, legal...more
Today, the German Federal Labor Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht) ("FLC") made two important decisions on vacation which are of great importance for employers in Germany: In the first decision (9 AZR 266/20), the FLC held that...more
The Federal Labor Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht – BAG) (“FLC”) just published the reasons for its decision on the recording of working hours (BAG, September 13, 2022 – 1 ABR 22/21). Here are the key take-aways for all...more
This may have been a pyrrhic victory for one employer before the German Federal Labour Court that may lead to effects on all employers: While the highest German labour court found that German works councils (Betriebsräte) do...more
Every player interested or already active in the German market needs to have a working knowledge of the key principles of German employment law which offers a good level of protection to employees. This is especially true for...more
2022 has several changes in store for employment law. We outline the top 10 of the most important changes in our Insight. 1. Special regulations on COVID-19 in 2022 The so-called "Corona bonus" of EUR 1,500.00, which can be...more
1. What is Agency Work?
Agency work (Arbeitnehmerüberlassung) is a highly regulated business area in Germany and occurs when an employer (Agency) provides a third party (Client) with an employee employed by him, the Agency...more
1.1 The Basics
The formation of the employment contract is generally subject to the same requirements as any other contract. There must be an offer and an acceptance (either oral or in writing), an intention to enter into...more
Germany scores well on family friendliness in the workplace. Statutory maternity and parental leave rights provide for a rather complex structure of maternity leave (Mutterschutz), parental leave (Elternzeit), parental...more
This Legal Q&A two pager gives an overview of the potential problems of using contractors and freelancers in Germany, in particular the risk of misclassification. Incorrectly classifying an employee as a contractor can have...more
Every player interested or already active in the German market needs to have a working knowledge of the key principles of German employment law which offers a good level of protection to employees. This is especially true for...more
Every player interested or already active in the German market needs to have a working knowledge of the key principles of German employment law which offers a good level of protection to employees. This is especially true for...more
2/25/2021
/ Employee Benefits ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
EU ,
Germany ,
Hiring & Firing ,
International Labor Laws ,
Maternity Leave ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Parental Leave ,
Remuneration ,
Sick Pay ,
Unions ,
Wage and Hour
Germany is not exactly known to be a pioneer when it comes to equal pay. In Germany, the pay gap remains particularly large and is only closing slowly, according to the Federal Statistical Office. The Federal Labor Court now...more
Für berufstätige Eltern, die infolge der pandemiebedingten Schließung von Kindergarten, Kindertagesstätte und/oder Schule ihrer Arbeitspflicht nicht nachkommen können, hat der Gesetzgeber im Eilverfahren ein neues Gesetz...more
On March 13, 2020 the German parliament passed the “law on the crisis-related temporary improvement of the regulations for short-time work allowance” (Gesetz zur befristeten krisenbedingten Verbesserung der Regelungen für das...more
German employment law provides for a sophisticated system of employee representation. The employees' representative body on operational level is the works council (Betriebsrat). The works council is to be involved in...more
Every player interested or already active in the German market needs to have a working knowledge of the key principles of German employment law which offers a good level of protection to employees. This is especially true for...more
2/3/2020
/ Compensation & Benefits ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employment Tax ,
Fixed-Term Labor Contracts ,
Germany ,
Holiday Pay ,
International Labor Laws ,
Labor Regulations ,
Maternity Leave ,
Minimum Wage ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Parental Leave ,
Part-Time Employees ,
Remuneration ,
Sick Leave ,
Sick Pay ,
Trade Unions ,
Wage and Hour ,
Wages ,
Working Time Regulations
Every player interested or already active in the German market needs to have a working knowledge of the key principles of German employment law which offers a good level of protection to employees.
This is especially true...more
7/31/2019
/ Employee Rights ,
Employment Tax ,
Fixed-Term Labor Contracts ,
Germany ,
Holiday Pay ,
International Labor Laws ,
Labor Regulations ,
Maternity Leave ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Parental Leave ,
Part-Time Employees ,
Remuneration ,
Sick Leave ,
Trade Unions ,
Wage and Hour
According to a recent decisions of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) (May 14, 2019 – C-55/18), the Member States of the EU must oblige employers to systematically record the working time of their employees. Only in this way...more
Very recently, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) held that an automatic forfeiture of vacation entitlements or vacation compensation entitlements without prior notification of the employee contravenes EU law. ...more
On January 1, 2019, new employee entitlements to a temporary reduction in working time will come into force in Germany. We answer the 10 most important questions employers have....more
Every Chinese investor not only needs to be aware of cultural differences when considering investing in Germany, but also has to have a basic understanding of legal issues.
German employment law provides for a good level...more
After Germany’s general election, a “Jamaica” alliance could soon rule Germany, being mathematically possible and, after the Social democrats SPD announced their return to opposition, only viable option not involving the...more
On October 21, 2016, the German Parliament adopted the draft law regarding the reform of the German Act on Temporary Agency Work (Arbeitnehmerüberlassungsgesetz – AÜG). The reform will come into force as planned on April 1,...more