Working hours
"You're coming in Saturday too!"
You are supposed to work on the weekend even though it is not in your contract.
§ 16 JArbSchG / § 9 ArbZG
It depends …
It depends — the industry is decisive!
For minors: Saturdays and Sundays are generally off (§§ 16–17 JArbSchG). Exceptions apply only in certain industries (hospitality, hospitals, agriculture, etc.). For adults, the Working Hours Act applies — Sunday and public-holiday work is generally prohibited (§ 9 ArbZG), with industry-specific exceptions.
What the law says
§ 16 JArbSchG – Saturday rest
Young people may not be employed on Saturdays. Employing young people on Saturdays is only permitted in certain industries (e.g. hospitals, restaurants, retail outlets, bakeries, etc.).
§ 17 JArbSchG – Sunday rest
Young people may not be employed on Sundays. Exceptions apply to the same industries as for the Saturday rest.
§ 9 ArbZG – Sunday and public-holiday rest
Employees may not be employed on Sundays and public holidays from 0:00 to 24:00. Exceptions are regulated by law.
What you can do
- Check your training contract: is weekend work mentioned there?
- Check whether your industry is one of the statutory exceptions.
- Minors are entitled to at least 2 free Saturdays per month.
- For Saturday work, another working day in the same week must be free.
Email template for your trainer
Subject: Query regarding weekend work
Dear [name of trainer],
I would like to ask about the planned work on Saturday, [date].
My training contract stipulates working hours from Monday to Friday. [If a minor: Under § 16 JArbSchG, young people may generally not be employed on Saturdays, unless the company belongs to one of the statutorily defined exception industries.]
I would like to ensure that the planned weekend work complies with the legal rules and that the corresponding time off in lieu is granted.
Could we clarify this in a brief conversation?
Kind regards
[Your name]
More cases: Working hours
- You're working overtime today!
- A break? Just power through!
- You're taking the late shift!
- 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.