Working time fraud is one of the most serious breaches of duty in an employment relationship - but how far can employers go to investigate such allegations? In its ruling of February 11, 2025 (Ref.: 7 Sa 635/23), the Cologne Higher Labor Court sent a clear signal: In the event of concrete suspicion, employers are also allowed to use a detective agency - and the costs for this can be reimbursed to the
A seemingly everyday mishap - swallowed while drinking coffee, fell and injured - has now occupied the Saxony-Anhalt State Social Court. In its ruling of 22 May 2025 (case no. L 6 U 45/23), the court clarified that even such an incident can constitute an accident at work under certain circumstances - provided the coffee consumption serves business purposes. The ruling raises
Our client letter is sent out monthly via our newsletter and contains upcoming tax dates as well as all kinds of tax tips and news. For our interested readers, we offer this information here for free download. Topics in July 2025 include: For all taxpayers: To gift or not to gift, that is the question! For all taxpayers: Special features
From January 2025, employers will no longer have to carry out a risk assessment for all workplaces, regardless of the reason, in accordance with the Maternity Protection Act. The obligation to carry out a risk assessment remains in place, but there is no longer a general obligation to analyze every activity preventively. The focus is on selected or high-risk jobs. Opportunities and risks Relief: Less bureaucracy for companies. Potential risk: Employers may
Since January 1, 2025, employers in Germany have been allowed to issue employment references electronically - provided the employee agrees. The basis for this is the new regulation of Section 109 Para. 3 GewO as part of the Bureaucracy Relief Act IV. For the first time, the electronic form is no longer excluded. Formal requirements: Consent and qualified signature Consent of the employee The
Background: Surprising dismissal despite promise The Düsseldorf Higher Labor Court (Landesarbeitsgericht, LAG) had to rule on a case on January 14, 2025 (case no. 3 SLa 317/24) in which a commercial lawyer was dismissed shortly before the end of his probationary period despite a verbal promise of employment. The employer - represented by the senior authorized signatory - had given the employee another five weeks' notice.
