Sickness
"Doctor's appointments are for after work."
You have a doctor's appointment during working hours and are told to take leave or make up the time.
§ 19 Abs. 1 Nr. 2 BBiG / § 43 JArbSchG
It depends …
If there is no other way, you get paid time off.
In principle you should schedule doctor's appointments outside working hours where possible. If there is no other way — e.g. acute symptoms, a specialist who only offers morning appointments, or a test that must take place in the morning on an empty stomach — you must be given paid time off for the appointment including travel (§ 19 (1) no. 2 BBiG; for employees § 616 BGB). You do not have to make up the time or take leave. Minors must be released without loss of pay for the examinations required under the Youth Employment Protection Act (§ 43 JArbSchG). If you are unfit for work, the normal sick note applies anyway.
What the law says
§ 19 (1) no. 2 BBiG – Continued pay
Pay continues if trainees are prevented from training through no fault of their own for a reason relating to them personally.
§ 43 JArbSchG – Release
The employer must release young people for the medical examinations under this Act; there may be no loss of pay.
What you can do
- First try for an appointment outside working hours — that strengthens your position.
- Ask the practice for a certificate of the appointment and its duration.
- Let them know in good time and enter the appointment in your time record.
- Flexitime? Then the company can ask you to schedule it in your free time.
Email template for your trainer
Subject: Doctor's appointment on [date]
Dear [name of trainer],
on [date] I have a doctor's appointment from [time] until about [time]. Unfortunately an appointment outside my training hours was not possible because [reason].
I request time off for this under § 19 (1) no. 2 BBiG. I will provide a certificate from the practice.
Kind regards
[Your name]