German Employment Law for Line Managers: Prevent costly mistakes for your business

Background

• Sources of employment law - plus similarities and key differences compared to common law jurisdictions.
• Cultural differences in inter-personal relations.
• The German corporate structure and its impact on the management function.
• Key players: trade unions, works councils and employer associations.

Before employment

• The recruitment process – dos and don'ts.
• The contract – offer, terms, clauses, express and implied terms.
• References, what to be aware of.
• Pitfalls to avoid.

During employment

• Probationary period and review.
• Dealing with part-time, agency and fixed-term contract workers.
• Flexible working requests.
• Short and long term absenteeism.

Working with the works council on staff/HR matters

• Information, consultation and co-determination.
• Representation of executives within corporates.
• Works council involvement throughout the lifecycle of the employment relationship.
• Role of works council agreements.
• Role of collective bargaining agreements.

Practical examples of day to day issues

• Poor performance.
• Discrimination.
• Long term sickness.
• Stress.
• Misconduct in and out of work.

Ending the employment realtionship

• General dismissal protection.
• Special dismissal protection.
• Claims and the Employment Court.
• Dismissal reasons and process to follow.
• Settling out of court – Settlement agreements.

This seminar will help you

• to identify and improve a better risk management of German employment issues,
• to avoid typical pitfalls of German employment law and
• to prevent costly mistakes for your business.

This is delivered by a team of two of our experienced trainers.

The course language is English and all course material will be provided in English. No prior knowledge of German employment law is required.

Non-German speaking line managers, senior executives and HR professionals with staff responsibilities in Germany but no or very little prior experience of German employment law and HR work.