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Working hours

"Pop into work before school."

Lessons start at 8 a.m., but you are supposed to do something at work first.

§ 15 Abs. 1 BBiG

The boss may NOT do that
No — nobody may employ you before lessons that start before 9 a.m.
Since 2020 it has been in the Vocational Training Act for all trainees: if vocational school lessons start before 9 a.m., the company may not employ you beforehand at all — not even "just briefly" (§ 15 (1) BBiG). Before that, this applied only to minors. If lessons start at 9 a.m. or later, work beforehand is possible in principle, but the time must be realistic: the way to school then counts towards your hours (§ 15 (2) BBiG), and you must not arrive late because of it.

What the law says

§ 15 (1) BBiG – Release
Trainers may not employ trainees before vocational school lessons that begin before 9 a.m.
§ 15 (2) BBiG – Crediting
Vocational school time including breaks and necessary travel time is credited to the training time.
§ 13 no. 2 BBiG – Duty to attend
Trainees must attend the training measures they are released for — including arriving at lessons on time.

What you can do

  1. Check your timetable: start before 9 a.m. = no work beforehand.
  2. The rule also applies if you are 18 or older.
  3. Do not arrive late at school because work held you up — that falls back on you.
  4. If it keeps happening, contact the IHK/HWK training advisers.
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