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From 1 August 2022, stricter requirements apply to the proof of working conditions that the lawmakers consider essential. Depending on the way the verification requirements are implemented, this may lead to mandatory compliance with the written form for employment contracts.

In connection with the Corona pandemic, short-time work was introduced in many companies. Not infrequently, this has resulted in a complete exemption from the obligation to work (so-called "short-time work zero"). According to the decision of the Federal Labour Court of 30 November 2021 (9 AZR 225/11), this may be taken into account when calculating annual leave.

Until now, employers have paid out the compensation for employees in Covid-19 quarantine according to the Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz - IfSG), which the federal state reimbursed them afterwards. However, since 1 November 2021, following a decision by the health ministers’ conference, state compensation for quarantine as a contact person shall be denied to unvaccinated persons with reference to the possibility of vaccination. The same applies to quarantine of unvaccinated persons after return from a travel area that was already classified as a risk area on the outward journey.

It is now important for employers to know whether they can refuse to pay wages to unvaccinated employees in contact quarantine and after-travel quarantine. It is also important to know whether they have the right to ask about the vaccination status of employees in Covid-19 quarantine.