Bullying
"Are you too stupid for this?" — your boss yells at you.
Your trainer or colleagues yell at you, insult or humiliate you.
§ 14 Abs. 1 Nr. 5 BBiG / § 84 BetrVG / § 185 StGB
The boss may NOT do that
No — nobody has to put up with insults and humiliation.
The company must ensure that you are supported in your personal development and not endangered (§ 14 (1) no. 5 BBiG). Yelling, insults, humiliating you in front of others or threats are incompatible with that — and can be an insult under criminal law (§ 185 StGB). You have a right to complain (§ 84 BetrVG), even without a works council, and may not suffer any disadvantage for it. Criticism of your work is allowed — the tone is not. If it continues, it can be a good cause to end the training or change companies; the chamber will support you.
What the law says
§ 14 (1) no. 5 BBiG – Duty of protection
Trainers must ensure that trainees are supported in their character development and are not endangered morally or physically.
§ 84 BetrVG – Right to complain
Every employee has the right to complain to the responsible bodies in the company if they feel disadvantaged, treated unfairly or otherwise impaired.
§ 185 StGB – Insult
Insult is punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine.
What you can do
- Keep a log: date, time, exact words, witnesses.
- Say calmly and clearly: "Please speak to me in a normal tone."
- Talk to the JAV, works council or a person you trust.
- The IHK/HWK training advisers are responsible for this too — confidentially.
Email template for your trainer
Subject: Tone on [date]
Dear [name],
on [date] I was yelled at in [situation] and called [words]. I take criticism of my work seriously and want to learn from it — but I do not want to accept such a tone.
I would ask for a conversation about how we can work together objectively in future. [JAV / works council / person of trust] is welcome to take part.
Kind regards
[Your name]