Holiday planning in the company

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Panorama | July 2026

Opticians: Graduation ceremony with the Prime Minister

Sixty opticians from Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland received their journeyman's certificates. Minister-President Gordon Schnieder offered his personal congratulations.

Photo: © Studio Effing

Chamber of Crafts Münster | July 2026

Three prizes for final projects of designers (HWK)

Three final projects from the advanced training course "Designer:in (HWK)" have been awarded by the sponsoring association of the Academy for Design of the HWK Münster.

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Trier Chamber of Crafts | July 2026

Eight success codes for future viability

Develop a clear employer profile that highlights your strengths, specifically targets skilled professionals, and creates the basis for successful employee recruitment.

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Chamber of Crafts Münster | July 2026

Mental health in craft businesses

As part of the "Management Workshop", the online seminar "Occupational safety with a special focus on the topic of psychological risk assessment" will take place.

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Operations management | July 2026

ING launches new fixed-term deposit offer for medium-sized businesses

ING now offers fixed-term deposits for business customers. Small and medium-sized enterprises as well as freelancers can invest liquid assets here.

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Operations management | July 2026

"A complete disaster": How the packaging tax is burdening bakers

50 cents more for a coffee to go: Why bakers in particular are suffering under the packaging tax, which is being hotly debated in more and more municipalities. The tax starts in Potsdam on October 1st.

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Operations management | July 2026

Schufa shadow database: What businesses can do

According to experts, Schufa's secret data collection violates data protection laws. A lawyer explains how to proceed if you want to know more about your data from the credit agency.

Photo: © Hardy Mann, BESH/Messe Stuttgart

Operations management | July 2026

Süffa with three focus topics at the pulse of the meat industry

Süffa will present new approaches to rationalization, sales optimization and smart solutions in the butcher's trade from November 7th to 9th, 2026 at the Stuttgart trade fair grounds.

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Craft policy | July 2026

Federal Cabinet approves second relief package

The German government has launched further measures to reduce bureaucracy. The second relief package includes projects with a total savings volume of approximately 600 million euros.

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Operations management | July 2026

"A complete disaster": How the packaging tax is burdening bakers

50 cents more for a coffee to go: Why bakers in particular are suffering under the packaging tax, which is being hotly debated in more and more municipalities. The tax starts in Potsdam on October 1st.

Photo: © WHKT / RG

Craft policy | July 2026

"Craftsmanship is an important building block for reconstruction"

Five years after the devastating floods, the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Construction, the WHKT (Westphalian Chamber of Skilled Crafts), and the Cologne Chamber of Skilled Crafts have concluded the state initiative "Skilled Crafts in Reconstruction." In Odenthal, they reviewed their collaboration.

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Craft policy | July 2026

Craftsmen in Saxony oppose packaging tax

The Saxon Chamber of Skilled Crafts is calling on the state government to ban municipal packaging taxes. An additional levy would pose an incalculable risk to the economic development of food processing businesses.

Photo: © Peugeot

Pkw | July 2026

Stylish fastback – the Peugeot 408

The new Peugeot 408 combines elegant design with modern powertrains and focuses on efficiency, connectivity and comfort.

Photo: © Geely

Pkw | July 2026

How Geely plans to conquer the German market

The name Geely rarely receives much attention, but its brands certainly do. The Chinese company has long since established itself in the European automotive world with brands like Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus. Now, Geely is competing under its own banner for the first time.

Photo: © Subaru

electric drives | July 2026

Uncharted – Subaru's first all-electric SUV

With the Uncharted, Subaru presents its first all-electric compact SUV, offering various drive options and long ranges.

Photo: © KD Busch/SWAV

Panorama | July 2026

Opticians: Graduation ceremony with the Prime Minister

Sixty opticians from Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland received their journeyman's certificates. Minister-President Gordon Schnieder offered his personal congratulations.

Photo: © Universum Verlag/Urbanfilm, Niehoff

Society | July 2026

Vocational school classes awarded for creative ideas against violence

The trainee prevention program "Youth Wants to Live Safely" has recognized vocational school students for their creative ideas against violence. This year's motto was "Violence-free? I'm in!".

Photo: © Krombacher Brewery

Panorama | July 2026

Reforestation of forests to preserve drinking water

Only a healthy, green forest can ensure a balanced water supply. However, persistently high temperatures and drought are currently putting forests under pressure. Since water is an essential source of life, Krombacher supports the preservation of stable forests with a large-scale reforestation program.

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Interesting competitions for craftsmen | July 2026

Corporate award from "Vocational Training Without Borders"

Craft businesses and companies that offer their trainees and young professionals the opportunity to spend time abroad can apply for the "Vocational Training Without Borders" company award.

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FounderNavi – for founders and young companies | July 2026

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.

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Repair instead of throwing away | July 2026

Trades welcome the right to repair: "Strong signal"

The right to repair is coming; the Federal Council has given its approval. "This is a strong signal for sustainability," says Kurt Krautscheid, President of the Koblenz Chamber of Skilled Crafts. For skilled tradespeople, repair is not a trend, but established practice.

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Writing employment references correctly | July 2026

Reference: The former employee is sometimes allowed to force the boss to sign it.

The employee writes their own reference letter, and the boss simply signs it. This is the usual procedure in a settlement after a dismissal. The Federal Labor Court recently clarified when an employer can refuse to do so.

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Photo: © Andriy Popov/123RF.com

Holiday planning in the company Theme specials

When it comes to vacation days, friction often arises between employers and employees. However, there are clear rules. Answers to the most important questions about vacation entitlement.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | April 2026

Bosses must grant vacation time in one continuous block.

The employer only wanted to grant an employee two weeks of vacation, even though she had requested three. The Nordhausen labor court found no grounds for his refusal.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | January 2026

Vacation planning at work: What the legal situation is

At the beginning of the year, many employees make new vacation plans, which employers have to coordinate. An expert explains what labor law says about this.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | October 2025

Reducing vacation time during parental leave: What you need to know

Can an employer reduce vacation time during parental leave? And if so, how is the reduction calculated? And is it always reasonable? An expert explains the legal situation.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | October 2025

Now inform employees that their vacation days are about to expire!

The boss must now remind his employees: Anyone who still has vacation time remaining should take it this year. Otherwise, it risks forfeiting it. Case law also places obligations on employers.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | July 2025

Waiver of statutory minimum vacation is ineffective

If the employment relationship still exists, employees cannot waive their statutory minimum vacation entitlement—not even in a court settlement. The Federal Labor Court is thus strengthening the rights of employees.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | Aug 2024

Do I have to be available to my boss while on vacation?

Finally, vacation! But what do you do when work follows you into your vacation? A labor law expert explains what the law says.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | February 2024

No right to vacation during Carnival

Women's Carnival, Rose Monday, and Shrove Tuesday: The most important days of the carnival season are normal working days. Employees are not entitled to any paid or unpaid vacation during Carnival.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | February 2023

Money instead of vacation: After three years it's over

Anyone who leaves their job and still has remaining vacation days can have them paid out. But only for three years, after which the claim expires. The Federal Labor Court has thus further clarified its vacation jurisprudence.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | December 2022

Vacation only expires after notice from the boss

Vacation entitlements expire after three years. However, the limitation period only begins to run when the boss informs those affected. If the boss forgets to do so, the vacation remains valid, according to the ECJ ruling, now also ruled by the Federal Labor Court.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | July 2022

When can companies order company holidays?

Can an employer unilaterally order vacation by declaring a company holiday? When is compulsory vacation permissible? An employment lawyer answers these and other questions.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | June 2022

There is no right to bridge days

Employees are not entitled to time off on so-called bridge days. Under labor law, they are treated as normal vacation days.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | May 2022

If the boss does not point out the vacation, it does not expire

Is it compatible with European law that vacation time in Germany expires after three years? The Advocate General at the European Court of Justice believes that the limitation period only begins to run when the employer points out the potential expiration of vacation time.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | January 2022

Holidays count towards the calculation of overtime

A collective agreement that excludes vacation days when calculating overtime pay violates EU law, according to the European Court of Justice.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | June 2021

Offsetting non-working time with vacation?

The boss cannot retroactively count an employee's time off from work toward their vacation days, especially if they fall below the statutory minimum vacation days.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | June 2021

Ten employment law questions regarding holiday planning in the company

Who is allowed to go on vacation and for how long? Are my employees entitled to vacation pay? What applies to short-time work? Businesses have to find answers to these and similar questions every year.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | Aug 2020

From vacation to quarantine

Anyone who has vacationed in a risk area must present a negative corona test upon their return or go into quarantine for 14 days.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | July 2020

Holiday time at work – no reason to stress!

It's vacation time. Not only employees, but also bosses need time off to recharge.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | April 2019

Special leave or parental leave: Vacation canceled

When calculating vacation days, only the time an employee actually worked is taken into account. The Federal Labor Court has recently ruled on two cases in this regard.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | February 2019

Vacation does not expire automatically

Two rulings by the European Court of Justice regarding vacation entitlement benefit not only employees but also their heirs. The Federal Labor Court has now ruled in the same way.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | May 2018

The boss may not prevent the vacation

If it's the employer's fault that an employee can't take vacation, they don't lose their vacation days. This is what the European Court of Justice says.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | April 2018

Relaxed vacation for everyone in the company

When it comes to vacation dates, friction often arises between employers and employees. However, there are clear rules.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | November 2017

Vacation ban? What bosses are actually allowed to do!

There are cases where employers must say "no" to their employees' vacation requests. But the leeway for this is quite limited.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | September 2017

Remaining vacation time: How to take it correctly

Even if many employees carry over vacation days from the previous year into the new year, and employers allow this, this is not correct. The legal requirements regarding remaining vacation days are clear.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | Aug 2016

Parental leave: Reduce vacation only per full month

If an employee takes two months of parental leave, his or her boss may only reduce his or her annual leave for each full calendar month.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | March 2016

No full vacation for half a year of work

Anyone who starts their job on July 1 and leaves after six months is not entitled to their full annual leave.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | July 2015

Vacation for part-time workers: How it is calculated

When planning company vacations, the question of how many days a part-time employee is allowed to take often arises.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | March 2015

With the termination, the holiday pay is gone

The employer may make the payment of holiday pay dependent on the employee not being dismissed.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | March 2015

Part-time employee retains vacation entitlement

An employee who changes from a full-time to a part-time job and has not yet taken their vacation days retains their previously accrued vacation days. The employer may not reduce them.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | September 2014

Vacation entitlement can be inherited

An employee's entitlement to annual leave does not expire upon his death. His widow can claim the remaining leave in cash.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | Aug 2014

Those who don't send their employees on vacation will pay.

If an employer fails to ensure that an employee takes vacation, they must either grant the employee substitute vacation time or pay the employee in cash, even if no vacation request was submitted.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | Aug 2014

This is how tradesmen go on holiday in a relaxed manner

Vacation? Wouldn't that be nice! For the self-employed, taking a few weeks off from work is often a challenge. But even for tradespeople, relaxing days are possible – if they organize it properly.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | November 2011

Vacation may expire after a long illness

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has now ruled that even employees on long-term sick leave cannot accumulate their vacation time without limits. A collective agreement limiting this to 15 months is in accordance with EU law.

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Holiday planning in the company - Theme specials | July 2011

When the business takes a break

Now, many craft businesses are closed again for the holidays. What the boss needs to keep in mind.

Trainee test: How fit are your applicants?

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