Best Wage & Hour Lawyers in Parchim

About Wage & Hour Law in Parchim, Germany

Wage and hour rules in Parchim are governed primarily by German federal law, applied locally by authorities and courts in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The core topics are minimum wage, working time limits, breaks and rest periods, overtime, night and Sunday work, paid leave, and proper wage payment and documentation. Collective agreements and company agreements often add more favorable rules, especially in sectors like public services, healthcare, logistics, retail, construction, and agriculture that are common in the wider region.

Disputes often arise from unpaid wages or overtime, missing records of hours, minimum wage shortfalls, unlawful scheduling on Sundays or holidays, improper use of mini-jobs or internships, and disagreements about what counts as working time such as travel or on-call duty. Local enforcement and litigation typically involve the occupational safety authority of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the customs authority for minimum wage controls, and the labor courts in Schwerin and Rostock.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need legal support if your employer is not paying the statutory minimum wage or agreed wage, delays payment, or makes unauthorized deductions. A lawyer can help recover outstanding wages, default interest, and damages where appropriate.

Legal advice is useful when overtime is expected but not compensated, breaks are not granted, or schedules exceed daily or weekly limits. Counsel can assess whether overtime pay, time off in lieu, or night work premiums are owed under your contract or a collective agreement.

If your recorded hours are inaccurate or your employer has not implemented lawful time recording, a lawyer can help secure and reconstruct evidence and enforce documentation duties. This is crucial where proof of hours is contested.

Workers facing minimum wage issues in mini-jobs, student work, internships, or posted work arrangements should seek advice to clarify coverage, sectoral minimums, and record-keeping obligations that can affect back-pay claims.

Retaliation risks arise when employees assert wage rights or refuse unlawful schedules. Legal counsel can protect you against warnings, unfair dismissal, or discrimination linked to wage complaints.

Short deadlines are common in employment contracts and collective agreements. A lawyer helps meet notice and filing requirements so claims do not expire prematurely.

Local Laws Overview

Minimum wage - The statutory nationwide minimum wage applies in Parchim. As of 2025 it is 12.82 euros per hour. Narrow exemptions exist, for example for certain internships, apprentices in vocational training, and minors without a completed vocational training. Sectoral minimum wages under the Posted Workers Act may be higher in industries like construction, care, or cleaning.

Working time - The Working Hours Act sets a general maximum of 8 hours per day. It can be extended to up to 10 hours if the average does not exceed 8 hours over 6 months or 24 weeks. Employees must have at least 11 hours of uninterrupted rest between shifts. Work on Sundays and public holidays is restricted and requires compensatory rest within statutory timeframes.

Breaks - If you work more than 6 hours, you must receive at least 30 minutes of breaks. If you work more than 9 hours, at least 45 minutes. Breaks can be split into blocks of at least 15 minutes and must be free time.

Night work - Night time is generally 23:00 to 06:00. Regular night workers are entitled to health assessments and appropriate compensation, commonly a premium or time off as set by contract or collective agreement. Courts often consider a 25 percent premium a typical benchmark, higher for work in the early morning hours.

Overtime and pay - Germany has no universal statutory overtime premium. Entitlement to extra pay or time off usually arises from the employment contract, a collective agreement, or a works council agreement. Minimum wage rules still require that average hourly pay for all hours worked meets at least the statutory minimum in the relevant settlement period.

Time recording - Employers must have a system to record employees total daily working time. This follows a 2022 Federal Labor Court ruling and sector specific statutes. Many employers use electronic systems. Records are especially important for minimum wage compliance and in sectors with special controls.

Mini-jobs - The marginal employment limit is dynamic. In 2025 the monthly threshold is 556 euros. Minimum wage, vacation, and continued pay during sickness generally apply to mini-jobbers. Correct recording of hours is essential to avoid exceeding the threshold unintentionally.

Paid leave and sick pay - The Federal Vacation Act guarantees at least 24 working days per year based on a 6 day workweek, which equals 20 days for a 5 day workweek. The Continued Pay Act provides up to 6 weeks of paid sick leave per sickness episode after the waiting period and subject to medical certification.

Special groups - Youths under the Youth Employment Protection Act have stricter limits and protections. Apprentices have mandatory training remuneration and special rules. Part time workers are protected against discrimination in pay and scheduling compared to full time colleagues.

Collective participation - A works council, if present, has co determination rights on working time arrangements, overtime, and breaks. Collective agreements can set binding pay scales, supplements, and working time rules that prevail over individual contracts if applicable.

Enforcement and forums - Minimum wage and certain sectoral rules are enforced by the customs authority financial control unit. Working time compliance is supervised by the occupational safety authority of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Wage disputes are brought before the Labor Court in Schwerin, with appeals to the Regional Labor Court of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Rostock.

Deadlines - Wage claims can be lost due to contractual or collectively agreed forfeiture clauses that often require written assertion within a few months and court action shortly thereafter. If no such clause applies, the general statute of limitations is typically 3 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current minimum wage and does it apply in Parchim?

The nationwide statutory minimum wage applies equally in Parchim. In 2025 it is 12.82 euros per hour. Sectoral minimums may be higher in specific industries. Only narrow legal exceptions apply, such as certain internships and apprentices.

Am I entitled to overtime pay?

There is no automatic statutory overtime premium. Whether overtime yields extra pay or time off depends on your contract, a collective agreement, or a works council agreement. Regardless, your average hourly pay for all hours worked must meet at least the minimum wage.

How many hours can I be scheduled to work?

The legal maximum is usually 8 hours per day, which can reach 10 hours if the average over 6 months or 24 weeks is not more than 8 hours. You are entitled to 11 hours of rest between shifts and to statutory breaks during the day.

Do travel time and on call count as working time?

Travel required by the employer can be working time, especially for job related trips or mobile work. On call at the workplace generally counts fully as working time. On call from home counts only when constraints significantly restrict your free time. The exact classification depends on your situation and case law.

Can my employer require Sunday or public holiday work?

Sunday and public holiday work is restricted and allowed only in specified sectors or special situations. If you work on those days, you must receive compensatory rest within the statutory period. Collective agreements may add details on premiums or time off.

Do I have to clock in and out?

Yes, employers must use a system that records employees total daily working time. This protects both sides and is essential for wage and minimum wage compliance. You can request access to your records if there is a dispute.

What can I do if my wages are short or late?

Document your hours and pay slips, raise the issue in writing with the employer, and set a reasonable deadline for payment. You can claim default interest. If there is no resolution, you can file a claim with the Labor Court in Schwerin. A lawyer can help frame the claim and preserve deadlines.

How long do I have to bring wage claims?

Many contracts and collective agreements contain forfeiture clauses with short time limits, often a few months to assert claims in writing and to sue if not paid. If no such clause applies, the general limitation is usually 3 years. Act quickly to avoid losing claims.

I have a mini job or work as a student. What should I know?

Mini jobbers in 2025 must keep monthly gross pay at or below 556 euros to stay within the threshold. Minimum wage, vacation, and sick pay generally apply. Working students are employees and are covered by wage and hour laws. Accurate time recording is important to avoid contribution and tax surprises.

Does night work give me a premium or time off?

Regular night workers are entitled to appropriate compensation, typically a premium or time off as set by contract or collective agreement. Courts often view around 25 percent as a reasonable premium, potentially higher for work after midnight. Health assessments must be offered.

Additional Resources

Arbeitsgericht Schwerin - the local labor court handling wage and hour disputes from Parchim.

Landesarbeitsgericht Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Rostock - appeals court for labor cases.

Zoll - Finanzkontrolle Schwarzarbeit - federal customs unit that enforces the Minimum Wage Act and sectoral laws.

Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - Arbeitsschutz - state occupational safety authority that supervises working time and break compliance.

Industrie- und Handelskammer zu Schwerin and Handwerkskammer Schwerin - advisory bodies for employers and apprentices on lawful pay and working time arrangements.

DGB Rechtsschutz and local trade unions - legal support and representation for members in wage and hour disputes.

Beratungsstellen Faire Mobilität - advisory service for mobile and migrant workers on minimum wage and working conditions.

Jobcenter and Agentur für Arbeit - guidance on employment status, mini job rules, and transitions that affect pay and hours.

Next Steps

Collect evidence. Keep all contracts, amendments, collective agreement references, pay slips, time sheets, duty rosters, messages about schedules, and notes of hours actually worked. Start your own log of daily start, end, and break times if the employer records are incomplete.

Assert your claim in writing. Describe the shortfall, list dates and hours, and set a clear payment deadline. Ask for copies of time records the employer maintains.

Watch deadlines. Check your contract for forfeiture clauses and act before they expire. If you are unsure, consult a lawyer immediately to stop the clock.

Seek advice. Contact a wage and hour lawyer, your union, or a recognized advisory service. Ask about the right forum, likely outcomes, costs, and options like a demand letter, conciliation hearing, or a lawsuit at the Labor Court in Schwerin.

Consider authorities. For minimum wage or certain sectoral violations, you can inform the customs authority. For working time safety issues, contact the occupational safety authority of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Explore legal aid. If you have low income, ask about Beratungshilfe for out of court advice and Prozesskostenhilfe for court proceedings.

Protect yourself. Do not ignore warnings or disciplinary steps tied to wage complaints. A lawyer can help challenge retaliation and negotiate solutions while your wage claim proceeds.

This guide is for general information only and cannot replace tailored legal advice on your specific situation in Parchim.