Labour Law Basics

Do you enjoy your job but don’t want it to take over your life? Do you have an extensive bucket list? You’re ready to finally write that book, become a yoga instructor, or simply have some time for yourself? Life is short, and more and more people don’t want to spend all their precious time working. Part-time is the new full-time. The most common model for this is a part-time job with set hours at a specific location. Other schemes are possible, however, including individual arrangements. Talk to your union for advice and support.

Under Germany’s Act On Part-Time and Temporary Work (Teilzeit- und Befristungsgesetz, TzBfG), you are legally entitled to part-time work if

• your company has more than 15 regular employees.
• you have been a permanent employee there for more than six months.
• you have not applied to work part-time for the past two years – regardless of whether that request was approved or denied.

Your employer may reject your application if important operational reasons stand in the way. Those reasons have to be shared and explained. Unfortunately, there is no legal entitlement to return to a full-time position later. The only exception is a temporary part-time arrangement called bridge part-time (Brückenteilzeit)

You may request a reduction of your work hours without having to give a specific reason. You merely need to submit your request in writing – an email will do – no later than three months before the desired start of your part-time arrangement. Your employer must respond no later than one month before that date, or your request is considered approved.

You may not be demoted or suffer any disadvantages due to going part-time. You keep all your entitlements, such as your salary or vacation days, only on a prorated basis. You are also entitled to transition to part-time during your parental leave (as a partial leave.)

Under this scheme, you request to go part-time for a limited period only – a minimum of one year, a maximum of five. To qualify, you have to be a permanent employee for at least six months, and your company has to have at least 45 employees.

• It improves your work-life balance and thus your overall wellbeing.
• You can more easily manage your continuing education and
• You can do good – perhaps as a volunteer.
• You can take better care of all your important responsibilities – family, friends, and career.

Sabbaticals give you a more extended break from work, usually between three and twelve months. Unfortunately, there is no legal entitlement to sabbaticals in Germany (yet.) However, we have introduced many good part-time and leave of absence schemes through collective bargaining and company-level agreements.