Overtime in focus: How to protect your rights at work!

Overtime in focus: How to protect your rights at work!

The topic of overtime is a hot -discussed topic in many companies. According to Radio euskirchen , the number of overtime increased among the employees of a project manager, while their overtime account grows continuously. This is done in a legal framework that the Working Hours Act defines.

The Working Hours Act allows a daily working time of up to 10 hours. However, companies are not allowed to start more than 8 hours a day on average within 6 months or 24 weeks. In exceptional cases, such as urgent work needs, up to 60 hours a week can be done. However, the arrangement of overtime is heavily regulated.

rules for overtime

whether employees are obliged to take over overtime depends largely on their labor or collective agreement. Fixed weekly working hours - for example 35 hours - do not automatically include overtime, unless these are contractually regulated. In addition, the works council has a right of co -determination when arranging overtime. The employer always needs the approval of the works council, unless it is operational emergencies, for example in the event of a fire.

A particularly important rule concerns the refusal of non -mandatory overtime: Such a refusal is not considered a violation of the contract and can usually not lead to termination. Johannes Schipp, specialist lawyer for labor law and a member of the German Lawyers' Association (DAV), emphasizes the legal subtleties that both employees and employers must consider.

EU guidelines and national regulations

The legal framework for working hours are subject to the European Working Age Directive in the EU. This determines a maximum working time of 48 hours a week and protects employee rights, including break claims after six hours of working time and a minimum annual vacation of four weeks. Member States can create their own regulations, but must adhere to these EU specifications, such as Verdi.de

Germany reacted to this by implementing comprehensive regulations in the Working Hours Act and the Occupational Health Act. These laws protect workers from excellent working hours and dangerous working conditions, while specific rules exist for special professional groups. Employers also have to investigate hazards in the workplace and ensure measures to protect employees.

The German Working Hours Act enables the average working hours to exceed more than the usual limit in a certain period of time, for example for night work, as long as the regular average values ​​are observed. Here, too, overtime and weekly working hours should be clearly regulated and documented.

comprehensive regulations and agreements in the area of ​​overtime and working hours are important for both sides to create fair conditions and to avoid labor law conflicts. The consideration of the European guidelines and national laws ensures that the rights of the employees remain preserved, while employers have flexibility to react to operational requirements.