What legal obligations do I have as an entrepreneur when dealing with my employees?
September 6, 2022 | 80,00 EUR | answered by Yvonne Schmidt
Dear Business Law Attorney,
My name is Friedhelm Klinger and I am the owner of a medium-sized company. Lately, I have been focusing more on the legal obligations that I have as an employer towards my employees. This has raised some questions for me that I would like to clarify with you.
Regarding the current situation: My company employs around 50 staff and I want to ensure that I comply with all legal regulations in labor law. I am aware that there are a variety of rules that employers must adhere to in order to avoid conflicts or even legal consequences.
My concerns mainly revolve around the possibility that I may have overlooked something or that I am not adequately informed about my obligations as an employer. I want to ensure that I treat my employees fairly and correctly, and respect their rights.
Therefore, my specific question for you is: What legal obligations do I have as a business owner in dealing with my employees, and how can I ensure that I fulfill these obligations? Are there specific documents I need to keep or actions I should take to be legally compliant?
I look forward to your expert advice and thank you in advance for your support.
Best regards,
Friedhelm Klinger
Dear Mr. Klinger,
Thank you for your inquiry and your interest in complying with legal obligations in labor law as an entrepreneur. It is commendable that you are actively engaging with this topic and want to ensure that you treat your employees fairly and correctly.
As an employer, you have a variety of legal obligations in dealing with your employees. Among the most important are compliance with the Working Hours Act, granting of vacation days, compliance with minimum wage laws, adherence to dismissal protection laws, obligation to continue paying wages in case of illness, and compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
To ensure that you fulfill these obligations and are legally on the safe side, there are various measures you can take. First and foremost, it is important that you stay informed about current legal changes in labor law. You can use specialized literature, seminars, or the advice of a specialized lawyer to help you with this.
Furthermore, you should ensure that you keep all relevant documents properly. This includes employment contracts, wage statements, records of working hours, vacation requests and grants, as well as evidence of compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
Another important aspect is communication with your employees. Regularly inform them about their rights and duties, clarify the applicable regulations, and create a transparent working atmosphere.
Finally, I recommend consulting a specialized labor law attorney in case of uncertainties or specific questions. They can provide individual advice, review your contracts and documents, and support you in implementing legal requirements.
I hope that my explanations are helpful to you and I am happy to assist you with any further questions.
Sincerely,
Yvonne Schmidt
Attorney specializing in business law
