Employment law

  
If you accept a job offer, you will have to sign an employment contract. The employment contract provides information about your rights and duties as an employee. Please read the employment contract carefully before signing it. In case you have any doubts or questions, ask your supervisor or another person for clarification. 
 
As an employee, it is important to fulfill your duties. This includes:
  • Performing your job responsibilities
  • Meeting the expectations set by your supervisor
  • Maintaining confidentiality of company secrets
  • Not accepting bribes 
Your employer also has certain duties to fulfill. This includes:
  • Paying your salary
  • Paying your social insurance contributions
  • Granting you paid holidays
  • Taking care of your well-being
  • Providing you with a work certificate at the end of the employment relationship
Normally, an employment contract is drafted in written form. If your employer refuses to sign a written contract, you should proceed with caution. 
 
The work contract should include:
  • Your name and your address
  • The name and address of your employer
  • The start date of your employment relationship
  • The duration of your employment relationship (in the case of a temporary contract)
  • A description of your job role
  • The probationary period
  • The period of notice
  • The level of remuneration
  • The number of annual leave days
  • Any other important information relevant to your employment relationship
Here, you can find a leaflet by the Federal Employment Agency with further employment law information available in several languages:
 
Here, you can find further information about the employment contract:
  

In Germany, there are full-time and part-time jobs. In a full-time job, the typical workweek consists of 40 hours. In a part-time job, you work fewer than 40 hours per week.
The working days in Germany are Monday through Saturday. You may work on working days, including at night and in shifts. Shift work involves working at different times of the day, and your working hours may change continuously. In many professions, it is allowed to work on Sundays and on holidays. 
  

By law, your employer must provide you with a minimum of 4 weeks of vacation. If you work 6 days per week, you are entitled to 24 days of vacation. However, most companies operate from Monday to Friday, which means you would typically receive 20 days of vacation.
  

If you become ill, you have to inform your employer immediately. In case of sickness, your employer continues to pay your salary for up to 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, you will receive sick pay from your health insurance. Please note that the amount of sick pay is usually lower than your regular salary. For further information, it is advisable to contact your insurance provider. 
  

In Germany, there are legal notice periods that both employers and employees must adhere to when terminating employment.
 
For further information (in German), please click here.
  
Do you have any questions? Please do not hesitate to contact the team of the Welcome Center Sozialwirtschaft. We will be glad to get back to you.