Growing as a team – healthy and successful

New talent invigorates the daily work routine and opens up opportunities – but at the same time, the coordination effort increases. Because the larger the team becomes, the more complex the internal processes become.

This article is part of the special feature GründerNavi – for founders and young companies

To ensure everything runs smoothly, employers should plan the registration of new employees well in advance . Volker Müller, Head of the Central Tasks Contributions Team at IKK classic , explains: "New employees subject to compulsory insurance must be registered with the social security institutions via an automated notification process after their employment begins . This is done by notifying the respective health insurance fund of your employee. Every new employee can become a member of a new fund immediately. There are no waiting periods with the previous health insurance fund. It is important that the new employee contacts the new fund as soon as possible . Notification to the previous health insurance fund is not required – the new fund will handle this. Employers also pay the total insurance contribution to the responsible health insurance fund, which then forwards it accordingly. The Minijob Center is responsible for marginally employed individuals."

A strong partner for employers

Several factors play a role in payroll accounting. The general contribution rate for statutory health insurance in 2026 is 14,6 percent and is shared equally between employers and employees . In addition, there is an individual supplementary contribution from the respective health insurance fund, which is also financed equally by employers and employees. Therefore, choosing a health insurance fund should not be solely a matter of price – benefits, service quality, and industry expertise are also important. As the health insurance fund for skilled trades , IKK classic understands the specific needs of the trades precisely: "We know where our customers' problems lie and tailor our benefits and services accordingly," says Volker Müller.

Photo: © IKK classic

"We know where our trade customers' needs lie and tailor our services accordingly." 
Volker Müller, 
Head of Team Central Tasks Contributions to the IKK classic

Health in the workplace – a win-win for everyone

Satisfied and healthy employees are the key to a successful company . Employers can actively contribute to their team's health – for example, through structured workplace health management (WHM). Good working conditions and appreciative leadership not only increase employee well-being but also improve productivity and work quality. And best of all: A commitment to employee health is financially supported . IKK classic supports companies with a bonus program and offers nationwide consulting services from experienced health managers. More information: ikk-classic.de/bgm

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Photo: © IKK classicInformation and services

• If one Overview of current calculation values or practical online calculators that allow you to quickly and easily determine payroll taxes that you need to consider when calculating salaries (salary planner, tax bracket selection, deadline, sliding scale, garnishment and contribution calculators) – employers can find all the important information at a glance on the IKK classic website:
ikk-classic.de/fk

• Always up-to-date Entrepreneurs can also stay informed about topics such as social security, workplace health, or management in the skilled trades with the free online seminars offered by IKK classic:
ikk-classic.de/seminare

• Use structured dataEverything's sorted. The IKK classic employer podcast – exclusively for the skilled trades. 30 minutes of background information and exciting insights into topics from social security, labor law, and health. Always on the last Wednesday of the month. Now available at:
ikk-classic.de/allesgeregelt

checklist

Before hiring new employees:

 ✔️ Submit the contract in good time
Employers are required to provide employees with a written contract containing all essential contractual terms and conditions no later than one month after the start of the employment relationship. To ensure a good start, it is important to hand over the contract well in advance of starting work. This is especially true for fixed-term contracts, as a fixed-term contract can only be set before the actual start of employment.

 ✔️ Contents of the employment contract 
The contract should include the names and addresses of the contracting parties, the place of work, and a brief description of the duties. It should also specify the start date of the employment relationship, the working hours, and the length of annual leave. The amount and composition of remuneration, payment dates, and information on notice periods must also be stated in the employment contract.

✔️ Request your company registration number
When you hire employees, you must register your company with the Federal Employment Agency. You will then be assigned a company number, which you will need to register your employees with social security.

✔️ Register for social security contributions
Please register your new employees subject to social security contributions with the relevant social security institutions (health, long-term care, pension, and unemployment insurance). This is done by notifying the health insurance funds responsible for your employees. The total social security contribution must also be paid to these funds and will be forwarded accordingly. The Minijob Center is responsible for marginally employed individuals.

✔️ Please note the registration deadlines 
Important: Social security contributions begin on your new employee's first day of work. Register them immediately so that your employee can be provided with a health insurance card and other documents promptly. Registration should generally be completed with the first payroll, but no later than six weeks after the start of employment.

Conclusion

New employees subject to compulsory insurance must be registered with the social security institutions in an automated reporting procedure after the start of their employment.

Employers must report all insurance-relevant data of their employees to the responsible health insurance funds.

Notifications for marginally employed persons Applications must be submitted to the Minijob Center. Exception: Employees in private households. The simplified household voucher procedure applies here.

On our website We explain step by step who is required to have insurance and what tasks the company has to fulfill:
ikk-classic.de/sozialversicherung

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