Germany and EU labor law provides robust protections for all workers — including non-EU citizens with valid work permits. Here's what you need to know. ───────────────────────────────────── WORKING HOURS ───────────────────────────────────── Under the German Working Hours Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz / ArbZG): • Maximum: 8 hours per day (may be extended to 10 hours if averaged to 8 hours over 6 months) • Mandatory break: 30 minutes for shifts over 6 hours; 45 minutes for shifts over 9 hours • Mandatory rest period: 11 consecutive hours between work shifts • Sunday work: generally prohibited (but healthcare is exempt with appropriate compensation) ───────────────────────────────────── MINIMUM WAGE ───────────────────────────────────── Germany's minimum wage is €12.41/hour (as of 2024). However, the healthcare sector typically pays above this via collective agreements (Tarifverträge). If you're employed by a hospital covered by TVöD (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst — the public sector collective agreement), your salary is governed by standardized pay scales. ───────────────────────────────────── ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS ───────────────────────────────────── The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) prohibits discrimination based on: • Race or ethnic origin • Religion • Gender • Sexual orientation • Age • Disability If you experience discrimination at work, you can: 1. Report it to your employer's HR or works council (Betriebsrat) 2. File a complaint with the Anti-Discrimination Agency: www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de ───────────────────────────────────── ANNUAL LEAVE ───────────────────────────────────── Under German law, you are entitled to a minimum of 20 vacation days per year (based on a 5-day work week). Most collective agreements in healthcare provide 28–30 days. ───────────────────────────────────── SICK LEAVE ───────────────────────────────────── • First 3 days of illness: No doctor's note required (in most cases) • From day 4: You must present a sick note (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung / AU) from a doctor • First 6 weeks: Your employer pays 100% of your salary (Lohnfortzahlung) • After 6 weeks: Your health insurer covers 70% (Krankengeld) for up to 78 weeks ───────────────────────────────────── YOUR WORKS COUNCIL (BETRIEBSRAT) ───────────────────────────────────── Hospitals with 5+ employees must have a Betriebsrat (works council), an elected employee representative body. They: • Represent employee interests in negotiations with management • Must be consulted on major changes (schedules, policies) • Are a non-threatening first point of contact if you have a workplace issue Get involved early — understanding your Betriebsrat is key to navigating German workplace culture.