The ECJ had to clarify the consequences of an employer making redundancies as part of a collective redundancy without first submitting the legally required collective redundancy notification to the competent authority (in Germany, typically the employment agency). The background to this is the EU Collective Redundancies Directive 98/59/EC, which is intended to ensure that authorities and employee representatives are involved in good time in order to mitigate the consequences and
Planning annual leave is one of the classic challenges in everyday working life. Employers not only have to take operational concerns into account, but also comply with a number of labor law requirements. A mistake in vacation planning can be expensive - for example, due to remaining vacation not expiring or claims for damages. Table of contents: Legal basics Common pitfalls in annual planning Practical tips for employers You need legal advice
At the turn of 2026, several important changes to employment law came into force that directly affect both employers and employees. The focus is on higher wages, new tax incentives for older employees, additional information obligations and European regulations on pay transparency. The following overview shows the key changes and briefly explains what they mean in practice. Table of contents: Minimum wage
The Social Court of Dortmund (SG Dortmund) has ruled that a fall over the leash of one's own dog on the way to work is not an accident at work within the meaning of statutory accident insurance (judgment of 07.07.2025, ref. S 18 U 347/24). The decisive factor was that carrying the dog had no significant operational connection and therefore did not fall within the insured area.
The Federal Labor Court (BAG) has confirmed in a recent decision that employers may reduce bonus payments proportionately if an employee has taken parental leave during the bonus period. The decision clarifies how performance-related variable remuneration is to be treated in the context of the statutory suspension of the employment relationship and raises important questions for company practice. The BAG ruling: No entitlement to full
Many employees ask themselves what happens to their remaining leave when the calendar year ends. The answer is not only important for employees, but also for employers, because they need to know the legal obligations to cooperate and possible carry-over periods. The basic principle is that vacation is used for recreation in the current year, but there are important exceptions and legal subtleties that can affect this principle.
