Business
Work Time Fraud in Germany: 13% of Employees Admit to Irregularities
A Consumerfieldwork survey of 1,000 German employees reveals that 13% admit to incorrectly recording their working time. Three-quarters say they have already performed personal tasks during their work hours. The consequences can be severe: in early 2025, a Cologne regional labour court validated the immediate dismissal of a ticket inspector who spent his working hours at his girlfriend's place, in cafés and at the hairdresser's. He was ordered to reimburse €21,000 in detective fees incurred by his employer. Such a dismissal also triggers a suspension of three months of unemployment benefits.