Understanding the Working Time Act guidelines

Servire checks every clock-out entry against the Working Time Act (ArbZG). Clocking in is never blocked: a violation is documented, not prevented, to ensure the record remains complete.

The hints

• Break missing and Break insufficient (§ 4 ArbZG): A 30-minute break is mandatory for work exceeding 6 hours, and a 45-minute break for work exceeding 9 hours. Only clocked breaks of at least 15 minutes are counted.

• Working too long without a break (§ 4 ArbZG): No one may work for more than 6 hours continuously without a break.

• Maximum daily working time (§ 3 ArbZG): The system adds up the working time of all entries for a workday from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. and compares it to the set limit, which is 10 hours by default.

• Minimum rest period (§ 5 ArbZG): There must be 11 hours between two workdays, or 10 hours with compensatory rest in the hospitality industry. A split shift on the same day does not count as a rest period and is not checked.

• Rest period reduced, compensatory rest required: Only applies if the set limit is 10 hours. Servire reminds us that the reduction in training time must be compensated for within a month by a rest period of 12 hours.

Warning or violation

Missed breaks are warnings, while exceeding the daily working hours and insufficient rest periods are violations. Both are indicated by a warning triangle in the All Entries list, compiled in the Compliance Report, and, if enabled, sent to you by email each morning.