Mastering new responsibilities

As the company grows and new employees are hired, the challenges also grow.

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

Hiring new team members requires careful planning , as a larger company also means more organizational effort. Volker Müller, Head of the Central Tasks Contributions Team, explains what needs to be considered when registering new employees : "New employees subject to social security contributions must be registered with the social security institutions via an automated reporting process after their employment begins. This is done by notifying the respective health insurance fund of your employee."

Any new employee can become a member of a new health insurance fund immediately. There are no commitment periods with the previous health insurance fund to consider. It is important that the new employee contact the new fund early on. Notification to the previous health insurance fund is not necessary – the new fund will take care of this. Employers also pay the total insurance contribution to the responsible health insurance fund, which forwards it accordingly. The Minijob Center is responsible for marginally employed employees.

Health insurance – partner for employers


We know where our trade customers' needs lie and tailor our services accordingly. Volker Müller, Head of Central Tasks Team, Contributions at IKK classic. Photo: © IKK classic

Several factors are used in calculating payroll. A uniform contribution rate applies to all statutory health insurance funds . This rate is set annually by the federal government and amounts to 14,6 percent in 2024. Employers and employees each pay half – that is, 7,3 percent. Most health insurance funds also levy an individual supplementary contribution, which is likewise financed equally. This means that employers and employees also pay this supplementary contribution in equal shares.

When choosing a health insurance provider, a price comparison is therefore important , but so is a comparison of benefits, service quality, and familiarity with the respective professional group . As the health insurance provider for tradespeople, IKK classic not only offers attractive rates but also understands the needs of the various trades: "We know where our customers' problems lie and tailor our benefits and services accordingly," emphasizes Volker Müller.

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Healthy company


Healthy and satisfied employees are a valuable asset for any company. Employers play a crucial role in employee health, setting an example and providing support – for instance, through workplace health management (WHM) . Good working conditions and appreciative leadership promote employee health sustainably and also increase productivity as well as the product and service quality of a company. Another plus: Your commitment to promoting the health of your employees is also financially rewarded . IKK classic supports the implementation of a quality-assured and long-term workplace health management program with a bonus. Our health managers support companies nationwide. More information: ikk-classic.de/bgm

Photo: © IKK classic

Everything's in Order. 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. Tune in now at: ikk-classic.de/allesgeregelt

Information and services at a click


• Whether you need an overview of current calculation parameters or practical online calculators to quickly and easily determine payroll taxes that you need to consider when calculating salaries (salary planner, tax bracket selection, deadlines, sliding scale, garnishment and contribution calculators) – employers can find everything important at a glance on the IKK classic website: ikk-classic.de/fk

• Business owners can stay up-to-date on topics such as social security, workplace health, and management in the skilled trades with the free online seminars offered by IKK classic: ikk-classic.de/seminare

checklist

✔️ Hand over the contract in good time: Employers are obligated to provide employees with written confirmation of their employment contract, containing all essential terms and conditions, no later than one month after the start of employment. For a smooth start, it is important to hand over the contract well before the commencement of work. This is particularly important for fixed-term contracts, as a fixed term can only be agreed upon before the actual commencement 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 job duties. It should also specify the start date of employment, working hours, and the duration of annual leave. The amount and composition of the salary, payment dates, and information regarding notice periods must also be included 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 registration number, which you need to register your employees with social security.

✔️ Register social security contributions: You are still required to register your new employees subject to social security contributions with the 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.

✔️ Observe registration deadlines: Important: Social security contributions are mandatory starting on your new employee's first day of work. Register them immediately so they can receive their health insurance card and other necessary documents as soon as possible. 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 insurance institutions in an automated registration procedure after starting employment.

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

Notifications for marginally employed persons 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 social insurance and what tasks the company has to fulfill: ikk-classic.de/sozialversicherung

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