Short-time work

Short-time work is used to bridge a poor economic order situation by temporarily reducing working hours.

The short-time work allowance is a wage replacement benefit that is paid by the employment agency for the duration of the short-time work.

The short-time work allowance is 60% of the net wage. Employees with children receive 67% of the net wage.

Requirements for short-time allowance


You are entitled to short-time work benefits if the following conditions are met:

  • The temporary absence from work is due to economic reasons or an unavoidable event and cannot be avoided. Must in each monthbecause ofloss of work, at least a third of the workforce lose more than 10% of their monthly wages or salaries.
  • The employment relationship is not terminated and the respective employee carries out an activity that is subject to social security contributions. The prerequisites also apply if the employee becomes incapable of working while receiving short-time allowance.
  • The employer must notify the employment agency of the loss of work.
  • If there is a works council, the order of short-time work is only effective with the consent of the works council.

Short-time work cannot be ordered unilaterally by the employer. An agreement from a collective agreement, works agreement or employment contract is required for the effective arrangement of short-time work. Otherwise the employee retains his full wage claim against the employer!