In Germany, the same legal break regulations apply to mini -jobbers as to full -time employees. These regulations are defined in the Working Hours Act (ArbZG) and serve to protect the health and security of the employees.
Legal break regulations for mini -jobbers
According to § 4 of the Working Hours Act, employers are obliged to grant their employees a break of at least 30 minutes at a working time of more than six hours. With a working time of more than nine hours, the prescribed break extends to at least 45 minutes. These regulations apply regardless of the type of employment relationship, so that mini -jobbers are also entitled to these break times.
The breaks can be divided into periods of at least 15 minutes each. It is important that the first break takes place after six hours at the latest. Employers have the right to determine the time of the breaks, but should take into account the operational processes and needs of the employees.
Voluntary breaks with shorter working hours
The law does not provide for any mandatory breaks for work assignments that take less than six hours. Nevertheless, employers can agree on voluntary breaks together with the mini-jobbers to enable short recovery phases, as the mini job center writes in an online contribution. However, these voluntary breaks are not required by law and require the consent of both parties.
Remuneration of pause times
Breaks are not considered working hours and are therefore usually not remunerated. This means that no wage payment is made during the breaks. So-called smoking breaks are not part of working hours and do not have to be paid, the mini job center continues. On the other hand, short interruptions such as going to the toilet are considered working hours and are to be paid accordingly.
Rest periods between working days
In addition to the breaks during working hours, the Working Hours Act also prescribes resting times between two working days. Between the end of one working day and the beginning of the next, there must be at least eleven hours of uninterrupted rest. This regulation serves the adequate recovery of the employees and also applies to mini -jobbers, as it continues.
Special regulations for young people
For young people under the age of 18, stricter break regulations according to the Youth Labor Protection Act apply. With a working time of more than four and a half to six hours, a break of at least 30 minutes is prescribed. With more than six hours of working time, the break time increases to at least 60 minutes. In addition, young people must not be employed without a break for more than four and a half hours.
Compliance with these breaks and rest is essential for the health and performance of the mini-jobbers. Employers are therefore obliged to implement and monitor these legal requirements.
D. Maier / Redaktion Finanzen.net
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