Working hours
"You're taking the late shift!"
You are supposed to work in the evening or at night — is that even allowed for a trainee?
§ 14 JArbSchG
The boss may NOT do that
No! Night work is prohibited for minors!
Trainees who are minors may only be employed between 6:00 and 20:00 (§ 14 JArbSchG). Exceptions apply to a few industries (bakeries from 5:00, restaurants until 22:00, shift operations until 23:00). Trainees of legal age are subject to the ArbZG — night work is possible here, but with special protective rules.
What the law says
§ 14 JArbSchG – Night rest
Young people may only be employed between 6:00 and 20:00. By way of exception, young people over 16 may be employed in the hospitality trade until 22:00, in multi-shift operations until 23:00, and in agriculture from 5:00 or until 21:00.
§ 6 ArbZG – Night and shift work
The daily working time of night workers may not exceed 8 hours. Night workers are entitled to regular occupational-health check-ups.
What you can do
- Check whether you are a minor or of legal age — the rules differ greatly.
- Bakery trainees aged 16+ may work from 5:00, hospitality trainees aged 16+ until 22:00.
- For regular night shifts: you are entitled to an occupational-health check-up.
- Night work must be regulated in the training contract or collective agreement.
Email template for your trainer
Subject: Query regarding the planned late/night shift
Dear [name of trainer],
I have been informed that I am to take the late/night shift on [date].
[If a minor:] Under § 14 JArbSchG, young people may generally only be employed between 6:00 and 20:00. As I am under 18, I kindly ask you to check whether this scheduling is compatible with the legal requirements.
[If of legal age:] I would like to ensure that the night work takes place within the framework of § 6 ArbZG and that the prescribed rest period is observed.
Kind regards
[Your name]
More cases: Working hours
- You're working overtime today!
- You're coming in Saturday too!
- A break? Just power through!
- Back at 6 tomorrow morning — you were here until 10pm yesterday.
- We're taking those two hours off you again.
- You just have to be reachable — that doesn't count.
- Getting to the construction site is your problem.
- You're working six days this week.
- We're open on the public holiday — you're in.
- Pop into work before school.
- Changing clothes is your own time — before and after.
- Work from home today, but don't keep asking.
- We don't record hours here.