Our employment and immigration lawyers have deep experience in advising foreign companies starting their business from an employment and immigration perspective in Germany.
German employment and immigration Law is complex and subject to various statutory regulations which usually are widely unknown to foreign companies planning to hire staff in Germany. As German employment law is said to be largely focused on “employee protection law”, it is crucial for foreign companies to be familiar with some basic issues starting from the onboarding, including right-to-work checks, in the day to day ongoing employment relationship as well as when it comes to termination scenarios. Our experienced employment and immigration lawyers know how to navigate international clients in a commercial and pragmatic way through all of these topics. Many international companies from start-ups to multinational companies seek their trusted advice on a daily basis.
Do not hesitate to get in touch with our lawyers. We are happy to answer your questions.
10 Pitfalls in German employment law
Learn about the most common pitfalls when it comes to setting up and growing your business in Germany.
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10 Pitfalls library: all PDFs
10 pitfalls of AI in the workplace
Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is increasingly used across various levels of the workplace, particularly to optimize and accelerate work processes. In Human Resources, AI can assist with tasks such as recruitment, workforce planning, and performance management.
10 pitfalls in employment litigation
Any German employee can challenge a termination in court – regardless of the facts – and the process follows rules that differ significantly from other jurisdictions.
10 pitfalls when taking paid time off
German employees have various entitlements regarding paid time off (PTO).
10 pitfalls in German employment and labour law when using ChatGPT
ChatGPT (serving as an example for Large Language Models (LLMs) using generative artificial intelligence (AI)) is supposed to make our daily lives easier. But can it also help us in our working lives?
10 Pitfalls when dealing with works councils in Germany
Navigating works councils in Germany can be challenging for international businesses. While they play a key role in ensuring employee representation and compliance, there are several legal pitfalls that can trip up even experienced employers dealing for the first time with works councils in Germany.
10 Pitfalls when employing staff in Germany
German Employment Law is complex and subject to various statutory regulations which usually are widely unknown to foreign companies planning to hire staff in Germany. As German Employment Law additionally is said to be largely “employee protection law”, it is important for US companies to be familiar with some basic issues.
10 pitfalls when hiring contractors under German law
Hiring a contractor is often an attractive and rather straightforward option for foreign clients to start their business in Germany without having their own employees on the ground. But this approach brings with it some significant risks when it is done not properly.
10 Pitfalls when negotiating fixed term contracts under German law
Under German law, the employment relationship can be terminated by mutual agreement, by expiration of a fixed-term contract, or by notice given by one of the contracting parties. Protection against dismissal is divided into general and special protection.
10 pitfalls when negotiating mutual termination agreements
German law sets high standards for employers to unilaterally terminate an employment relationship if the employer employs more than ten (10) full-time employees on the ground in Germany and as soon as the employee has finished the probationary period.
10 pitfalls when terminating employees under German law
Under German law, there are various ways to terminate an employment relationship. However, German law sets a high threshold for the employer to terminate an employment relationship.
10 Pitfalls when using an EOR in Germany
International companies often start expanding to the German market without having established a local legal entity. In most cases, their aim is to accomplish a rapid market entry, explore the market and/or mitigate the financial exposure until the local business is established in a sufficient manner.
3 ways to start business in Germany
Dimissal law and termination procedure under German law
Under German law, the employment relationship can be terminated by mutual agreement, by expiration of a fixed-term contract, or by notice given by one of the contracting parties. Protection against dismissal is divided into general and special protection.
Distinction between freelancers and employees under German law
International companies often start expanding to the German market without having established a local legal entity. In most cases, their aim is to accomplish a rapid market entry, explore the market and/or mitigate the financial exposure until the local business is established in a sufficient manner.
Paid Time Off (PTO) in Germany
German employees have various entitlements regarding paid time off (PTO). This summary shall help providing a first overview on the different entitlements when employing staff in Germany.
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10 Pitfalls in German employment law | Archive
Webinar series for international clients doing business in Germany
10 pitfalls in German employment and labour law when using ChatGPT
10 pitfalls in the preparation of job reference letters in Germany
10 pitfalls when granting costly trainings to employees in Germany
10 pitfalls in German employment law North American inhouse counsels should know when managing workforces in Germany
10 pitfalls in German employment litigation
Dismissal law and termination procedure under German law
Doing Business and Investing in Germany: A guide to help foreign investors
10 pitfalls when negotiating mutual termination agreements
10 pitfalls when hiring non-EU nationals in Germany
10 pitfalls when taking paid time off
German employees have various entitlements regarding paid time off (PTO)
10 pitfalls when using an EOR in Germany
Changes to German employment law in 2022
Federal Labor Court: Bicycle couriers are entitled to a bike and a cell phone
Is a lump sum the solution?
Our Compliance Starter Kit for US Companies doing business in Germany
10 pitfalls when hiring contractors under German law
10 pitfalls when terminating employees under German law
10 pitfalls when entering into a post-contractual non-compete covenant under German law
10 pitfalls when employing staff in Germany
New requirements for time recording
Bridge-time work and other changes to part-time and fixed-term work
The impact of the third gender on German Employment Law