FAQ

A draft law for a tax lump sum is on the way - it should initially be limited to two years

A tax lump sum of 5 euros per day in the home office is under discussion. The upper limit should be € 600, which corresponds to 120 home office days.

The tax office generally only recognizes costs for domestic workplaces if it is clear that a room in the apartment is mainly used as an office.

Home office cannot be ordered unilaterally by the employer. You can therefore refuse to work from home without fear of being dismissed.

The Working Hours Act applies in the home office. You are also entitled to breaks and rest periods.

No, this right does not exist. There is an exception if it has been agreed in the employment contract. If you stay at home anyway, you can be given notice after receiving a warning.

If you have been exposed to a specific risk of infection, you can work from home if your work and living situation allow it.

No, there is no right. The home office must be approved by the employer.

No, if it is not contractually regulated, he may only do this with your consent.

The same applies as at the usual workplace: the Working Hours Act.

You are not allowed to work more than eight hours a day. If there is more to do, the working day can be extended to up to ten hours - the more hours worked must then be compensated within the next six months.

Yes, labor law also applies here.

In the case of a teleworking station, where the employer equips an employee's private rooms with furniture, work equipment and communication equipment, certain requirements must be observed: ergonomic workplaces, sufficient light are two of them.

That depends on your agreed working hours. You should agree on core working hours with your employer.

Outside of these core working hours, you can organize your working hours yourself. It is only important that you comply with the rules of the Working Hours Act. For example, you must have eleven hours of rest between two work assignments. In practice, this means: If you start work at 8 a.m., you can only work until 9 p.m. the previous day.

You must also pay attention to the adherence to the break times. After six hours of work, you need to take a break. These rules apply equally to part-time and full-time workers, regardless of whether they work in the office or from home.

In the case of employees who work exclusively or permanently from home, many employers have granted access rights to the apartment. However, this does not primarily serve to control the employee: Rather, the employer must also be with employees who work in the home office Obligations from the Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG) and the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) progeny. This means that he has to check that your workplace is properly equipped and that your health is not endangered by the wrong light, an unsuitable chair or other irregularities.

Of course, the home visit can also be used to check whether Confidentiality Obligations be respected. For example, your employer can check whether sensitive data is lying around on your desk and can therefore be viewed by third parties.

BUT: Your boss shouldn't just stop by by surprise. He has to announce the visit

It depends a little on whether you only make a customer call from home now and then or whether you work regularly in the home office. In the latter case, the employer usually pays for the costs required to equip the workplace. He would have to you PC, desk and Co. yes also available in the office.

A kind of rental fee is rather unusual.