Forms and Types of Employment in Germany

Those of our fellow citizens who are interested in working in Germany should definitely familiarize themselves with the principles of how wage labor is organized in the country, so they know what to expect and what to be prepared for. The labor market can be conditionally divided into two parts. The first group includes official employment. The second part includes work for temporary employment agencies (temp agencies), which earn income by "renting out" their workers to other companies.

Legally, this form of activity is not prohibited, but temp agencies are closely monitored by the state, namely the employment offices. If violations and abuses are discovered, and the transfer of employees to another company is carried out without obtaining the appropriate permission, the transfer agreement is annulled, and their work is counted as ordinary employment under a hire contract. For workers this issue is very problematic — it can lead to being placed on unpaid leave or even being laid off while their employer resolves the compliance issues.

Work in Germany is not always accompanied by enthusiasm, and many do not wish to work for the benefit of the country full-time or even on a reduced schedule. For such "lazy" people there is work at a set rate. You can work as little as 15 hours a week or even less, while the state guarantees you a stable but very small income. This can be a good option for extra earnings, but it will not lead to an increase in your prosperity. Previously the state even accommodated citizens by not taxing this amount, but now the situation has changed, and you will receive only a part of a comparatively modest salary.

If you have found a job that suits you, the first thing you need to do is send the employer an application to hire you as a company employee. Whether your future job will be renovating a country house or caring for children, you should approach the preparation of this application letter carefully. Explain your reasons for choosing the position you are applying for, remind them where you learned about the vacancy, briefly state why you want to work for this company and which personal qualities will help you succeed. Don’t forget to attach a folder with your documents so the prospective employer can review them.