Works Councils Modernisations Act

Quick action by politicians was required: In this episode, we present the amendments to the German Infection Protection Act that have just been passed and which employers must now observe on a daily basis: What does the so-called "3G model" mean for workplace entry restrictions? What will happen where these rules are disregarded? Will there be mandatory vaccinations in Germany after all? This is a German-language podcast.

The pandemic has driven many employees out of the office and regular working from home has become more and more the norm. However, our practical experience shows that the current legal basis, legal requirements and the distinction between these forms of work are often not clear.

In this episode, we look at the most significant alterations in connection with a recent legislative change in Germany aimed to encourage the establishment of Works councils and to strengthen their rights. 

Currently, there is a lot of talk about applications for insolvency - one consequence of the pandemic. What does this actually mean for employers and employees? Commonly, neither management nor HR are prepared for such a scenario. In this episode, we provide a brief overview of key procedural steps and consequences from the perspective of HR management, which suddenly has to face new challenges in the context of insolvency in self-administration. This is a German-language podcast.

If an employer's termination is deemed invalid in Germany, he will need to back-pay the remuneration since the presumed termination date. Considerable sums can accumulate in this regard. This risk is a key reason why many dismissal protection law suits end by way of settlement in practice. In this episode, we look at tactics employers can apply in order to limit this risk. This is a German-language podcast.

German law generally does not include an obligation to fully measure employees' working time. In a 2019 decision, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) demands working time measuring that is objective, reliable and accessible. The consequences of this decision are still controversial. In this episode, we look at possible implications for employers in Germany, especially in relation to employee overtime compensation claims.  (German language episode) Speakers: Dr. Simone Wernicke, Dr. Nils Neumann