25 June 2019
Federal Government draft bill planned for an Immigration of Skilled Workers Act, to promote the immigration of skilled workers from third countries
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2019/germany/federal-government-draft-bill-planned-for-an-immigration-of-skilled-workers-act

At present, the unemployment rate in Germany is at its lowest rate in decades. However, this positive development also poses a challenge of how to recruit a suitable number of skilled workers for the German labour ...

25 June 2019
New Law for the Protection of Trade Secrets in Germany
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2019/germany/new-law-for-the-protection-of-trade-secrets-in-germany

The German Law for the Protection of Trade Secrets (Gesetz zum Schutz von Geschäftsgeheimnissen, "GeschGehG") came into force on 26 April 2019, following considerable delay. This article details action points from an ...

29 January 2019
Works councils’ co-determination rights with respect to a company’s Twitter account
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2019/germany/works-councils-co-determination-rights-with-respect-to-a-companys-twitter-account

Sec. 87 I No. 6 grants works councils a right for co-determination with respect to the implementation and use of any technical devices that allow for monitoring of employees.

10 June 2020
Germany: Comprehensive changes in labour law due to the COVID-19 crisis
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2020/germany/comprehensive-changes-in-labour-law-due-to-the-covid19-crisis

A number of changes in the field of labour law have been implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: video conferencing is finding its way in German labour courts, parental benefits have been adjusted, short-time ...

23 November 2020
Germany: Working from home – The legal framework for the new normal
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2020/germany/work-from-home-in-germany-the-legal-framework-for-the-new-normal

Before the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, off-site forms of working such as telework, alternating telework and working from home (WFH) – were the exception rather than the rule for German employees.

29 January 2019
Brexit: No Deal! Far-reaching impact on employment of British Citizens in Germany
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2019/germany/far-reaching-impact-on-employment-of-british-citizens-in-germany

On 15 January 2019, the British House of Commons rejected the potential exit agreement with the EU by an overwhelming majority. 432 MPs voted against the exit agreement, while only 202 were in favour of the deal. For ...

30 April 2019
Bird & Bird & The New German Trade Secrets Act - 'no pain, no gain'
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2019/germany/bird-and-bird-and-the-new-german-trade-secrets-act

On 21 March 2019 the German parliament adopted a new national regime on trade secrets.

10 June 2020
Germany: Dynamic requirements for occupational safety and hygiene measures for employers
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2020/germany/dynamic-requirements-for-occupational-safety-and-hygiene-measures-for-employers

Over the past weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed burdens on the personal and business life of individuals across the country. For some companies, the outbreak meant that the majority of their employees had to work ...

19 March 2020
Managing HR-costs in Germany during the crisis – Short-time work
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2020/germany/managing-hr-costs-in-germany-during-the-crisis-short-time-work

In Germany, short-time work is a common labour market instrument during a crisis in order to reduce liquidity shortages and preserve jobs. Short-time work compensation is granted by the government regardless of the ...

28 January 2020
Managing directors may be considered employees within the meaning of the German General Equal Treatment Act ("AGG")
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2020/germany/managing-directors-may-be-considered-employees-within-the-meaning

Non-shareholding managing directors may not be discriminated against on grounds of age or any other grounds under section 1 of the German General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).