Part-time and Fixed-term Work Act (Germany)

Teilzeit- und Befristungsgesetz, TzBfG (Part-time and Fixed-term Work Act)

Provisions for working hours and the protection of employees undertaking part-time or fixed-term contracts are found within the Part-time and Fixed-term Work Act (“Teilzeit- und Befristungsgesetz”). One of the most important provisions found within this act is the right for workers who are employed with a company with more than 15 permanent workers to be able to reduce their working hours. This could be from full-time to part-time and can be transferable to part-time employees to transfer to full-time status as well. This act also prevents discrimination in the treatment of part-time or fixed-term employees in comparison to full-time employees.