Duties
"You're working piece-rate now, or no bonus."
You are supposed to do piece-work or performance-based work under time pressure.
§ 23 JArbSchG
The boss may NOT do that
Prohibited for minors — for adults only with protection!
Young people (under 18) may NOT be employed on piece-work or other work where higher earnings can be achieved through an increased work pace (§ 23 JArbSchG). This also applies to pace-driven assembly-line work. For adults, piece-work is permitted, but health hazards must be excluded (§ 3 ArbSchG).
What the law says
§ 23 JArbSchG – Piece-work, pace-dependent work
Young people may not be employed on piece-work or other work where a higher wage can be achieved through an increased work pace. They may also not be deployed on assembly-line work with a prescribed pace.
§ 3 ArbSchG – Basic duties
The employer is obliged to take the necessary occupational-safety measures.
What you can do
- Under 18: piece-work is absolutely off-limits — simply refusing is lawful.
- Quota targets and speed-based bonuses also count as piece-work-like.
- For adults: the pace must not come at the expense of your health.
- Under pressure → inform the trade inspectorate / IHK; they monitor this actively.
Email template for your trainer
Subject: Piece-work / pace targets
Dear [name of trainer],
since [date] I have been employed on [piece-work / quota targets / pace-bonus system].
[If a minor:] Under § 23 JArbSchG, employing young people on piece-work or pace-dependent work is expressly prohibited.
I kindly ask you to adjust my tasks.
Kind regards
[Your name]
More cases: Duties
- Go sweep the hall!
- Go grab me a coffee!
- Just keep doing the same thing!
- I don't care if it's against the rules, you're doing it now!
- Next week you're helping out at our partner company.
- From now on you drive the deliveries.
- We'll take the till shortfall out of your pay.
- You broke the device — you pay.