Beteiligung der Schwerbehindertenvertretung – Klärung durch Erfurt?

Seit Ende 2016 ist die Kündigung eines schwerbehinderten Arbeitnehmers ohne vorherige Beteiligung der Schwerbehindertenvertretung unwirksam. Diese zusätzliche vom Gesetzgeber aufgestellte Hürde hat zahlreiche Fragen aufgeworfen: Wie verhält sich die Beteiligung der Schwerbehindertenvertretung zur Anhörung des Betriebsrats und zur Einholung der Zustimmung des Integrationsamtes? In welcher Reihenfolge sind diese Gremien zu beteiligen? Was genau ist der Schwerbehindertenvertretung mitzuteilen und welche Fristen sind einzuhalten? Licht ins Dunkel…

Germany – Issuing notice of dismissal to substitute works council members - beware of the pitfalls

In Germany, when a substitute works council member is appointed to a works council to cover a regular member’s absence, the substitute member benefits from the additional protection against dismissal works council members enjoy. This article outlines the issues for employers to be aware of in considering terminating the employment of a substitute works council member. To ensure the continued functioning of the works council,…

Carpool für den Betriebsrat

Die mit Betriebsratsfortbildungen verbundenen Kosten sind ein häufiger Streitpunkt zwischen dem betroffenen Betriebsrat und dem Arbeitgeber. Das BAG (24.10.2018 – 7 ABR 23/17; http://juris.bundesarbeitsgericht.de/cgi-bin/rechtsprechung/document.py?Gericht=bag&Art=en&nr=22007) hatte in einer aktuellen Entscheidung Gelegenheit eine weitere damit verbundene Frage zu klären. Danach ist es einem Betriebsratsmitglied grundsätzlich zumutbar, gemeinsam mit seinem ebenfalls an der Schulung teilnehmenden Kollegen eine Fahrgemeinschaft zu bilden. Schulungskosten als Kosten der Tätigkeit des Betriebsrats Nach…

Germany: Premium for overtime for part-time employees - less is more?

The German Federal Labour Court has clarified how premiums for overtime for part-time workers should be calculated to avoid discrimination, overruling its previous case law.  Two lawyers, three opinions? Legal disputes in labour law in Germany generally end with a clarifying decision by the Federal Labour Court. This is not the case with the question of when enhanced rates of overtime pay should also be…

Germany - Introduction of a third gender and practical consequences for employers

From 22 December 2018, a third gender, described as ‘diverse’ has been created for civil status purposes in Germany. This article seeks to raise awareness of the issue for employers, sets out some follow-up daily labour law practice questions on the issue and gives suggestions on how employers should ensure they comply with the law in the future. In 2017, the Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht -BVerfG) instructed the German legislator (BVerfG of 10.10.2017 – 1 BvR 2019/16) to put an end to the infringements of the general ‘right…

Germany: Employers tap into gig economy

In Germany, companies can employ freelancers or temporary workers if they do not wish to establish an employment relationship. The employment of part-time and fixed-term employees or work on call are additional options. Companies that participate in the gig economy make extensive use of these opportunities, but the gig economy isn’t without legal risks. Employment of Freelancers Many companies that are active in the gig…

Business trip to Germany: Visa required?

With international business on the rise, business trips of employees from non-EU countries to Germany are becoming more and more relevant. When planning such a business trip, a number of questions arise: Does the employee need a visa? If so, which kind – and how does she obtain it? No visa required for “privileged” citizens on a business trip When planning the business trip of…

New questionnaire published by German Data Protection Authority

With a press release of 29 June 2018, the local Data Protection Authority (DPA) of Niedersachsen has published a questionnaire. The questionnaire has recently been sent to 20 large and 30 mid-sized companies of various industry sectors which are located in the German state of Niedersachsen. The local DPA has pointed out that they will not send the questionnaire to small companies such as carpenters…

Germany: The perfect restructuring (part 3: balance of interests agreement)

The third of a series on ‘the perfect restructuring’ in an employment law context, this article provides recommendations from a German perspective for conducting negotiations with the works council to reach a balance of interests agreement prior to and during the conciliation board phase of a restructuring. Once the preparatory phase is finished (see Part 1 ) and the kick-off with the works council (see Part 2)…

Germany: The perfect restructuring (part 2: kick-off with works council)

The second in a series on ‘the perfect restructuring’ in an employment law context, this article examines best practice for handling the kick-off with the works council for a business restructure from a German perspective. Having presented the preparation and planning phase in part 1 of our series on restructuring, in part 2 we will devote ourselves to the start of the negotiation phase. In this phase,…