ArbZG

ArbZG stands for Arbeitszeitgesetz, the German Working Hours Act. It regulates working time in Germany to protect the health and safety of employees. The act governs how long people may work, how rest and breaks must be scheduled, rules for night work, and the restrictions on Sunday and public holiday work. It also sets requirements for recording actual working hours and outlines the enforcement framework.

A central element is the limit on daily working time: the standard maximum is eight hours per day, with the possibility to extend to ten hours if, within six calendar months, the average daily working time does not exceed eight hours. The law requires a minimum rest period of eleven consecutive hours between the end of one work period and the start of the next. For breaks, employees who work more than six hours must have a break of at least 30 minutes; if the workday exceeds nine hours, the break must total at least 45 minutes. Breaks may be taken in parts, provided the total satisfies the minimum.

The act also regulates night work by providing protections for night workers and by requiring appropriate health and safety measures; specific rules apply to shift arrangements and compensation. Sunday and public holiday work is generally prohibited, with exceptions for essential services and activities, which may require compensatory time off or additional pay.

In terms of compliance, employers must maintain records showing the actual working hours of their employees, enabling verification by authorities. The ArbZG is enforced by state labor authorities and penalties for violations can include fines or other sanctions. The act forms a core part of German labor law and interacts with sector-specific regulations and collective agreements.