The private use of internet and e-mail despite a corresponding prohibition during working hours on company devices can justify termination without notice under German labour law the Higher Regional Labour Court of Cologne ruled on 7 February 2020 (docket number: 4 Sa 329/19). The case An employee of a company had written several e-mails and …
The new Corona Warning App launched in Germany on Tuesday June 16th , 2020 and had already been downloaded nearly 6,5 million times as of the next morning. How does the App work? According to the information released by the German government, the app uses Bluetooth technology to measure the distance and duration of encounters …
The new Corona Warning App and its legal implications for employment law Read More »
The CDU/CSU and SPD parliamentary groups have introduced a new package of laws into the German Bundestag containing important labour and social regulations, which will be passed in the near future. This package again contains numerous changes in labour and social law. Further measures are to be taken to cushion the economic and social hardships …
Planned Novelties in Employment and Social Law through German “Social Pact II” Read More »
At the moment, hearings at the labour and social courts are largely suspended. This is problematic in so far as it mostly concerns existential questions such as the existence of an employment relationship or a claim for wage payment as well as collective issues. These questions require a quick decision. Particularly in proceedings for protection …
New legislation during the pandemic: Online court hearings at labour and social courts Read More »
Whereas it has previously been necessary to fall back on general principles when planning occupational health and safety measures, Federal Minister of Labour, Mr Heil has now specified these in more detail on 16 April 2020 and has thus established guidelines for (physical) cooperation. The requirements set out here must already be complied with by …
Which measures for occupational health and safety are required in the current situation? Read More »
Following an amendment of the Working Time Act as of March 28, 2020, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs issued a Working Hours Ordinance, which from April 10, 2020 onwards allows exceptions to the provisions of the Working Hours Act only for certain activities and only for a limited period until June 30, …
Covid-19: Temporary changes to maximum working hours for certain industries Read More »
On April 08, 2020, the Federal Government adopted changes regarding co-determination at company level. According to the government draft, the possibilities for the works councils to pass resolutions will be extended and the ability of the staff representatives to act will be ensured. The planned revision of the Works Council Constitution Act (BetrVG) allows staff …
Works council meetings by video or phone conference? Read More »
By judgment of 21 January 2020 (docket number: 3 AZR 281/18) the Federal Labour Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht – BAG) has ruled that for the calculation of pension benefits partial retirement (Altersteilzeit) is to be treated as part-time work (Teilzeitarbeit). The employer and the former employee were in dispute over the question of whether periods of partial …
Occupational Pensions: Partial retirement is to be treated as part-time work Read More »
By judgment of 19 November 2019 (docket number: 3 AZR 281/18) the Federal Labour Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht – BAG) has ruled that, in the event that an employer has granted a total pension (Gesamtversorgung) which consists of both occupational pensions and other types of pension benefits, the employer’s obligation to carry out pension adjustments according to …
By judgment of 19 December 2019 (docket number: C-168/18) the European Court of Justice has ruled that employee’s pension entitlements which are based on so-called captive pension insurance schemes (Pensionskassenzusagen) are (to a certain extent) protected from benefit reductions in the event of employer insolvency. The plaintiff participated in a captive pension insurance scheme (Pensionskasse). …
By judgment of 18 February 2020 (docket number: 3 AZR 206/18) the Federal Labour Court has ruled that if an employer provides information on occupational pensions such information must be correct, clear and complete. However, there is no general obligation to provide information on the social security treatment of pension benefits. The plaintiff participated in …
On 12 February 2020 the German Federal Cabinet adopted a draft law to implement the revised European Directive on the Posting of Workers in the framework of the provision of services. The revision of the Directive entered into force on 29 July 2018 after lengthy negotiations in Brussels (Directive 2018/957/EU amending Directive 96/71/EC). The revision …
Update on local legislation implementing the Directive on the Posting of Workers Read More »
Crowdworkers are not considered employees under German labour law under a ruling by the Higher Regional Labour Court of Munich on 4 December 2019 (docket number: 8 Sa 146/19). What are Crowdworkers? Crowdworkers are persons to whom so-called microjobs are offered via an Internet platform which they then carry out independently, if they accept the …
Crowdworkers are not employees under German Labour Law Read More »
By judgment of 21.06.2019 (docket number: 7 Sa 92/18) the State Labour Court Hamburg has ruled that a deviation from the employer’s obligation to adjust pension benefits in accordance with an increase in state pension benefits – as provided for in the employer’s pension plan in the event that the employer considers an adjustment “not …
By judgment of 22 October 2019 (docket number: 3 AZR 429/18) the Federal Labour Court has extended its settled case law regarding the replacement of pension plans in the event of mergers and acquisitions. A replacement of a pension plan by a pension plan existing at the acquirer a must be in accordance with the …
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