Starting a Job

This page wants to share with you all you ought to know when starting a job. In order to show you're informed you need to know what typically an employer will be expecting from you - without expressly saying so. Understandably, employers are curious during an interview but may they interrogate you about intimate details of your private life?

My boss asked me for my working papers. What exactly are working papers in Germany?

Your boss wants to have:

• your tax number,
• copy of your passport showing your current electronic residence permit,
• social security card (Sozialversicherungsausweis),
• membership certificate of your health insurance Mitgliedsbescheinigung),
• résumé,
• your personal tax ID (steuerliche Identifikationsnummer), see also ELStAM
• any forms provided by the company.
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I just received an appointment for an interview for a new job. Well, it turned out to be a nightmare. The employer was asking me extremely personal questions. He asked if I were pregnant, how many children we are planning to have, how long I plan to be on parental leave, etc. etc. Come on, is all this really his business??

Generally, you as the applicant are obligated to tell the truth – and nothing but the truth. However, your future boss has no right to inquire about your personal life – only your professional life. So, even if you are visibly expecting you may lie and may not be sued or punished for deceit. Forbidden questions also concern:

• religious denomination (exceptions possible),
• family planning,
• hobbies,
• penalties (exceptions possible),
• sexual orientation.
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So, is there a general rule what an employer may or may not ask?

Yes, there is. The employer is entitled to inform himself objectively and directly to employment related questions. Questions concerning private matters are permitted only exceptionally. Grounds for inquiring private matters can be e.g. found in the “special purpose of the company”. If a church wishes to employ somebody, they may ask if the applicant is living in non-marital relationship. Previous convictions may be inquired about if they are vital for that job (Federal Labor Court, judgment of May 20, 1999 - 2 AZR 320/98). Typically asking for a certificate of good standing (Führungszeunis) will be the case when it comes to handling money or dealing with business secrets.
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Having just become pregnant, I so dearly want a job, and am willing to lie to the interviewer just to get it. Will I really be not subject to firing?

No, you cannot be fired – as long as you are on maternity leave. But do not believe that after returning to work your boss will be very amused! Why? Because your boss wanted to employ someone who will work for him (and not immediately go on maternity leave). This employer will be paying for someone who has not contributed a penny’s worth of work to the company. As soon as he finds this out, reckon that he will seek a possibility to fire you! He will feel that you “betrayed” him.
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What do I generally have to know about working contracts?

Your employment contract is the first and main key in determining your rights and duties to your employer. Therefore, make sure that you have all vital issues addressed in the contract. If you find out that something is missing later, it might be too late, because the employer might not want to alter the contract. Supposing your bad luck continues and the contract contains a stipulation on “no oral agreements besides this contract”, then no "100 witness" will be able to prove the contrary.
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