German Court Rules Against Discrimination in Overtime Pay for Part-Time Workers

The Federal Labor Court mandates equal treatment for part-time employees, addressing gender disparities and overturning discriminatory overtime policies.

• The Federal Labor Court in Germany ruled that part-time workers must receive overtime pay starting from their first extra hour, aligning with full-time employee policies.
• The court deemed existing overtime pay rules in many collective agreements discriminatory, as they required part-time workers to exceed full-time hours to qualify for bonuses.
• This decision impacts over 12 million part-time employees in Germany, a majority of whom are women, addressing indirect gender discrimination in the workplace.
• The case originated from a part-time nurse in Hesse who was denied overtime compensation for 129 extra hours, leading to partial success in her legal battle, including a €250 compensation for gender-based disadvantage.
• The ruling emphasizes that exceptions to equal treatment must be justified by valid, objective reasons, ensuring broader compliance with anti-discrimination laws.

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