Vocational school
"After school you come in to work!"
You are supposed to work at the company after a full day of vocational school.
§ 15 Abs. 1 BBiG / § 9 JArbSchG
The boss may NOT do that
On one long school day per week: no — whatever your age!
Since the 2020 BBiG reform this applies to all trainees: after a vocational school day with more than five lessons (of at least 45 minutes each) you may not be put to work in the company — once a week (§ 15 (1) BBiG). That day counts with your average daily training time. If you have a second long school day in the same week, the company may employ you afterwards; lesson time including breaks and necessary travel between school and company is then credited. Nobody may employ you before lessons that start before 9 a.m.
What the law says
§ 15 (1) BBiG – Release
Trainees may not be employed before vocational school lessons beginning before 9 a.m., nor on one school day per week with more than five lessons of at least 45 minutes each.
§ 15 (2) BBiG – Crediting
Vocational school time including breaks and necessary travel time is credited; the long school day counts with the average daily training time.
§ 9 JArbSchG – Vocational school
For minors, the Youth Employment Protection Act additionally applies with the same basic rules.
What you can do
- One long school day (more than 5 lessons) per week = off afterwards, also for adults.
- Record school times and travel in your training record — that documents the credit.
- With block teaching (at least 25 hours on 5 days) you are released for the whole week.
- Nobody may call you into work before lessons that start before 9 a.m.
Email template for your trainer
Subject: Release after vocational-school lessons
Dear [name of trainer],
on [date/weekday] I have vocational school from [time] to [time], which corresponds to [X] lessons.
[If a minor:] Under § 9 (1) JArbSchG, on school days with more than 5 lessons I am exempt from company training.
Under § 15 BBiG, vocational-school time including breaks and the journey to school is credited towards working time. I ask for your understanding that I cannot come in to the company on this day.
Kind regards
[Your name]