You want to quit? It's not that easy. – is that allowed?

Q: You want to quit? It's not that easy. – is that allowed?

You can resign — how depends on probation and the reason. During probation you can resign at any time without notice and without giving reasons (§ 22 (1) BBiG). After that you have two options: with four weeks' notice if you give up the training entirely or want to train for another occupation (§ 22 (2) no. 2 BBiG), or without notice for good cause, e.g. serious breaches of duty by the company (no. 1). If you want to learn the same occupation at another company, that is not a reason under no. 2 — then it works through a termination agreement by mutual consent or a good cause. Notice must always be in writing, after probation stating the reasons (§ 22 (3) BBiG). If you are under 18, your parents must sign.

Termination

"You want to quit? It's not that easy."

You want to drop out of the training or switch to another occupation or company.

§ 22 BBiG

It depends …

You can resign — how depends on probation and the reason.

During probation you can resign at any time without notice and without giving reasons (§ 22 (1) BBiG). After that you have two options: with four weeks' notice if you give up the training entirely or want to train for another occupation (§ 22 (2) no. 2 BBiG), or without notice for good cause, e.g. serious breaches of duty by the company (no. 1). If you want to learn the same occupation at another company, that is not a reason under no. 2 — then it works through a termination agreement by mutual consent or a good cause. Notice must always be in writing, after probation stating the reasons (§ 22 (3) BBiG). If you are under 18, your parents must sign.

What the law says

§ 22 (1) BBiG – Probation

During probation the training relationship can be terminated at any time without notice.

§ 22 (2) BBiG – After probation

After probation, termination is only possible for good cause without notice, or by trainees with four weeks' notice if they give up the training or want to train for another occupation.

§ 22 (3) BBiG – Form

Termination must be in writing and, in the cases of paragraph 2, state the reasons; electronic form is excluded.

What you can do

Talk to the IHK/HWK training advisers first — there is often a solution.
For a change of company in the same occupation: termination agreement and new contract, the time is credited.
Notice on paper, signed, with proof of delivery (handed over with a witness or by registered mail).
Watch out for unemployment benefit blocking periods if you leave without a follow-up.

Email template for your trainer

Subject: Termination of my training relationship (template for the letter)

[Your name, address] [Company name, address] [Place, date] Termination of the vocational training relationship Dear [name], I hereby terminate my vocational training relationship of [contract date] with four weeks' notice as of [date]. Reason: I am giving up the vocational training / I want to train for the occupation of [other occupation] (§ 22 (2) no. 2 BBiG). Please confirm receipt of this notice and issue me a training certificate (§ 16 BBiG). Kind regards [Signature] [signature of parents/guardians if applicable]

What the law says

What you can do

More cases: Termination