Covid-19

Not in my House – yet another update on German Covid-19 legislation

By Dr. Kai Bodenstedt LL.M. / 22 April 2021 22 April 2021 / Covid Testing, Covid-19, Mobile Working, Working from Home

Accompanied by demonstrations in Berlin, on 21 April 2021, the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag) has passed further legislation as a measure against rising infection numbers. The draft of the legislative act, commonly referred to as the Fourth Act on the Protection Of The Population (“Viertes Bevölkerungsschutzgesetz”, Act), includes regulations for both the private as well …

Not in my House – yet another update on German Covid-19 legislation Read More »

Testing, not resting – Obligation to offer tests under the newly amended SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance

By Dr. Kai Bodenstedt LL.M. / 16 April 2021 16 April 2021 / Covid Testing, Covid-19, Days of Rest, Health

The ongoing quest to combat and prevent the further spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is currently impaired by the emergence and propagation of more dangerous virus variants. The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (Ministry) has identified frequent testing in occupational environments as a means to prevent the spread of the virus earlier and …

Testing, not resting – Obligation to offer tests under the newly amended SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance Read More »

No Rest for the Wicked

By Dr. Kai Bodenstedt LL.M. / 29 March 2021 29 March 2021 / Covid-19, Days of Rest

The German administration no longer plans to implement “days of rest” over the Easter Break. The proposal was withdrawn shortly after it was announced due to legal and factual problems relating to the implementation of such days of rest. Chancellor Angela Merkel apologized to the German public for the confusion caused by the announcement. Both …

No Rest for the Wicked Read More »

The Covid-19 Resolution of 22 March 2021 and its implications for employers

By Dr. Kai Bodenstedt LL.M. / 23 March 2021 23 March 2021 / Covid-19, Days of Rest, Home Office, Uncategorized

The joint video conference of chancellor Angela Merkel and the ministers for the German states resulted in a resolution (“Resolution”) which, at least in part, will need to be implemented by further legislative action at both state and federal level. For employers, the following issues are of relevance: May I open my business and have …

The Covid-19 Resolution of 22 March 2021 and its implications for employers Read More »

SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance

By Dr. Kai Bodenstedt LL.M. / 22 January 2021 22 January 2021 / Covid-19

In light of the continuously tense situation in the health care system due to the Covid-19 pandemic and steadily high infection figures, the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has issued an ordinance on occupational health and safety (“SARS-CoV-2 Arbeitsschutzverordnung“, SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance) which will become effective on 27 January 2021. …

SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance Read More »

Covid-19: Restrictions on travel to Germany

By Saskia MacLaughlin / 10 November 2020 10 November 2020 / Covid-19

In light of current Covid-19 developments, restrictions on travel to Germany are constantly changing. If the traveller is not able to produce the required documentation, there is a risk that either the airline or the border authority of the Schengen State of first entry, or the German Federal Police, may deny entry to Germany. In …

Covid-19: Restrictions on travel to Germany Read More »

The new Corona Warning App and its legal implications for employment law

By Dr. Henriette Norda LL.M. / 18 June 2020 18 June 2020 / Covid-19

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 »

Planned Novelties in Employment and Social Law through German “Social Pact II”

By Tom Stiebert / 12 May 2020 12 May 2020 / Covid-19, Government/Politics, Legislation

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 »

New legislation during the pandemic: Online court hearings at labour and social courts

By Tom Stiebert / 8 May 2020 8 May 2020 / Business trips, Covid-19, Legislation

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 »

Which measures for occupational health and safety are required in the current situation?

By Tom Stiebert / 23 April 2020 23 April 2020 / Business trips, Covid-19, Employee Participation, Health, Working time

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 »