Employees have legal recourse to claim unpaid wages, exposing firms to liquidity and compliance risk
Executive summary: The article explains what employees can do when their employer fails to pay wages on time, describing legal remedies available under German labor law. Delayed wage payments can trigger interest claims, legal costs, and damage to employer reputation, creating immediate financial exposure for firms.
Who is involved: Employees, employers, German labor courts, and potentially works councils or trade unions.
Likely next (inference): Employees may issue reminders and pursue claims; employers may face legal actions, interest payments, and potential reputational harm.
The Handelsblatt article outlines the steps workers can take when salary payments are late, including sending a formal reminder, setting a payment deadline, claiming statutory interest, and, if necessary, terminating the employment relationship for cause or filing a claim with the labor court. It emphasizes that passive waiting is the worst option and details the legal basis under German Arbeitsrecht. The piece serves as a practical guide for employees while highlighting the financial and reputational risks employers face when wages are delayed.
Timeline
- — Fragen aus dem Arbeitsrecht: Was tun, wenn das Gehalt nicht kommt? (Handelsblatt)
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