In a ruling of 20 September 2020 (docket number: 3 AZR 303/18), the Federal Labour Court confirmed that a so-called CTA (Contractual Trust Arrangement) – which is a special trust structure for occupational pensions – is a suitable vehicle for protecting pension commitments against insolvency. In addition, however, the Federal Labour Court has raised another …
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 »
In an earlier ruling this year, the European Court of Justice held that European member states must require employers to introduce systems for recording the working time of their employees. However, since there is no German law stipulating time recording( with the exception of overtime recording duties) yet, typically it is up to the employer …
Time Recording Systems Jumpstarted by the Works Council? Read More »
According to a judgment by the Federal Labour Court, the works council may request information about work accidents suffered by individuals who are employed by an external party, if these works accidents were suffered in connection with the operational infrastructure (judgment dated 12 March 2019, docket number 1 ABR 48/17). The company, a delivery service …
Works Council’s right to know about work accidents also extends to external staff Read More »
Following a legislative reform earlier this year, flight crews’ rights to obtain employee representation through a works council have been improved. While employees from (almost) all fields of work can choose to elect a works council, sec. 117 of the Works Constitution Act formerly provided for an exemption for flight crews. Flight crews were only …
Change in Work Constitution Act to Increase Employee Representation Read More »
On 12 February 2019 the Federal Labour Court (docket number 1 AZR 279/17) ruled that a social plan severance and a compensation of disadvantage (Nachteilsausgleich) need to be offset. In March 2014, the employer took the decision to shut down its operation which the plaintiff was employed in. The employer informed the works council about …
On September 13, 2018 the State Labour Court Hamburg (docket number 2 TaBV 5/18) ruled that works councils have a right of co-determination concerning the employer’s Twitter account in accordance with Sec. 87 Para. 1 No. 6 Works Constitution Act as Twitter is a technical device designed to monitor the behaviour or performance of the …
Works Council has Right of Co-Determination Concerning Employer’s Twitter Account Read More »
With its judgment dated 21 August 2018, the Higher Regional Labour Court of Baden-Wurttemberg (Landesarbeitsgericht Baden-Württemberg) decided that the dismissal of an employee as part of a mass redundancy is invalid if the notice of termination is signed prior to receipt of the mass dismissal notification to the authority. The time of the receipt of …
Under German law, works councils have so-called co-determination rights on certain subjects. This means that an employer must reach an agreement with the works council on these matters, such as rules and policies for employee conduct. Works council co-determination is, however, excluded if there are binding and final statutory provisions dealing with a certain matter. …
Appointment of a Conciliation Committee dealing with the subject of a No Smoking Policy Read More »
In a judgment dated 13 September 2018 the Higher Labour Court of Hamburg (docket number 2 TaBV 5/18) ruled that if the employer operates a Twitter account, at least on the basis of the reply function, the (general) works council has a co-determination right according to section 87 para. 1 no. 6 Works Council Constitution Act (Betriebsverfassungsgesetz). The …
Co-determination right if the employer sets up and operates a Twitter account Read More »
In a judgment dated 3 August 2017, the Higher Regional Labour Court of Hessen has held that a works council’s co-determination rights do not extend to stock option plans by an employer’s foreign parent company (docket number 5 TaBV 23/17). Under German law, works councils have a co-determination right regarding remuneration principles. In this …
On 25 May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) entered into force harmonizing the regulations for the processing of personal data by companies and public authorities within the EU. Under the GDPR, employees’ data protection rights are significantly reinforced. Infringement of the GDPR regulations may now result in high administrative fines of up to …
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) entered into force Read More »
Employers may be required to provide safety authorities with information on individual target agreements with their employees. In a judgment dated 28 February 2018, the Dusseldorf administrative court confirmed a corresponding order by the local safety authority (docket number 29 K 4191/16). In the case at hand, the employer offers consulting services. It is bound …
Employer obligation to provide individual target agreements to safety authority Read More »
Under the Works Constitution Act, the works council has a right to access information regarding the gross salary of employees. Such information is provided to the works council in form of a chart including relevant compensation details. In a case decided by the Higher Regional Labour Court of North Rhine Westphalia – Hamm – (judgment …
According to a recent judgment by the Higher Regional Labour Court in Munich (docket number 11 TaBV 36/17) of 27 September 2017, the works council is entitled to receive information regarding the existence of pregnant employees in the operation. In the case at hand, the employer had provided employees with a right to “opt out” …
Information right of the works council independent of employee consent Read More »
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