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Vacation

"You have to take vacation for the funeral."

A special occasion — a death, your own wedding, a birth — and you are told to use leave.

§ 19 Abs. 1 Nr. 2 BBiG / § 616 BGB / § 25 BBiG

The boss may NOT do that
For important personal reasons you get paid time off — as a trainee, guaranteed.
If you are prevented from working through no fault of your own for a reason relating to you personally, your pay must continue for a relatively short time. For trainees this is written in § 19 (1) no. 2 BBiG — and because deviations to your disadvantage are void (§ 25 BBiG), the training contract cannot exclude it (in normal employment contracts § 616 BGB can partly be excluded). Recognised occasions include the death of close relatives, your own wedding, the birth of your own child, a summons to court or an authority. A private house move usually does not count. How many days depends on the occasion; collective agreements often give concrete numbers (usually 1–2 days).

What the law says

§ 19 (1) no. 2 BBiG – Continued pay
Pay continues for up to six weeks if trainees are prevented through no fault of their own, for another reason relating to them personally, from fulfilling their duties.
§ 25 BBiG – Mandatory
An agreement deviating from these provisions to the trainee's disadvantage is void.
§ 616 BGB – Temporary prevention
The right to pay remains if the person is prevented from working for a relatively insignificant time for a reason relating to them personally and through no fault of their own.

What you can do

  1. Let them know as early as possible what it is about and how long you will be away.
  2. Provide proof if requested (e.g. death notice, marriage certificate).
  3. Check the collective or training contract: it often lists fixed days per occasion.
  4. If you are still told to take leave for it, object in writing.
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