Sunday work pay in Germany. Work in Germany. Sunday is usually a day off, but some people still need to work. Employees in certain jobs have to work on Sundays and public holidays. What rules apply to them? Do employers have to give extra pay for working on these days? This article will cover the laws about Sunday work and explain if extra pay is required.
Rules for Working on Sundays and Public Holidays
Under the Working Hours Act (ArbZG), working on Sundays and public holidays is generally not allowed, but there are exceptions. These exceptions mostly apply to workers in essential fields like emergency services, healthcare, catering, and media. Employers must ensure that employees have at least 15 Sundays off per year. If an employee does work on a Sunday or public holiday, they are entitled to a day off at another time within the following few weeks.
Read also: Discover the Top-Paying Minijobs in 2024: Earn Up to €29 Per Hour!
Sunday work allowance in Germany
There are no universal legal requirements in Germany for employers to pay a bonus for working on Sundays or public holidays. This means not all employees are guaranteed extra pay for these days. However, a bonus may be specified in a collective labor agreement, employment contract, or company policy. The amount of any bonus can vary by industry, and some bonuses might be tax-free up to a certain limit.
No allowance, but day off is required
Although the law does not mandate a bonus for working on Sundays or public holidays, employers must provide a day off as compensation. This serves as a basic form of compensation for working on days typically set aside for rest.