As of: February 9, 2024, 7:23 a.m
By: Michaela Ebert
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Press
Split
Anyone who regularly works overtime at work should be careful.
Labor law provides for harsh penalties for those who are required to work excessively.
A little more work on the project here, an answer to one or two emails there: For many people, overtime is part of their working life.
But if there are too many, the punishment can be severe.
In the worst case scenario, violating German labor law could result in a fine of up to 30,000 euros or even a year in prison.
For this reason, too, the Federal Labor Court enforced the obligation to record working hours.
Too much overtime is prohibited: severe penalties are threatened
Because: In Germany, working hours are clearly regulated by law.
After all, overwork also poses major health risks for employees, such as burnout.
To protect employees, there are rules and regulations in place, non-compliance with which can result in legal action.
For example, German labor law stipulates that there must be at least eleven hours of rest between the end of one working day and the beginning of the next working day.
In addition, the maximum number of working hours per day is a maximum of eight hours - in exceptional cases, up to a maximum of ten hours are permitted.
More than ten hours must not be exceeded - otherwise there is a risk of a fine of up to 30,000 euros
However, only if appropriate compensation in the form of money or free time can be claimed.
In general, the following also applies: Under no circumstances may employees be required to work ten-hour shifts every day.
Employers who ignore the statutory deadlines and regularly force their employees to work overtime face high penalties.
If the employee often works more than ten hours, this can cost the employer up to 30,000 euros, according to the “Berufsjournal”.
In the worst case, repeat offenders could even face a year in prison.
By the way: The penalties can not only affect the employer himself, but also senior employees, such as company or factory managers or department heads who are responsible for compliance with working time regulations.