Trainees in the Wartburg district: Immediate help guaranteed if problems arise!

Trainees in the Wartburg district: Immediate help guaranteed if problems arise!

Everyday training can be a real challenge for young people, especially at the beginning. Ralf Eckardt, the district chairman of the Construction-Agricultural Industrial Union (IG BAU), pointed out the problem that affects many trainees in the Wartburg district. Around 2,240 young people are currently starting their vocational training, often confronted with issues such as unpaid overtime, vacation bans and even a ban on cell phones during working hours. The importance of good communication with companies is often overlooked.

The following applies to trainees: It is advisable to know and exercise their rights. You can seek support at www.dr-azubi.de, a service of the German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB). The “24/7 consultation hour” offers answers to various questions about training remuneration, overtime, vacation, health protection and even changing training positions. Eckardt makes it clear that many trainees who are new to the company often first have to become more aware of their rights.

Overtime and working hours in detail

A topic that concerns many trainees is overtime. According to Azubiyo, trainees generally work the same working hours as their experienced colleagues. Although overtime occurs in many companies, it is generally voluntary for trainees. However, employers can ask for extra work in the event of unforeseen work. It is important that this overtime work must be paid for in free time within three weeks - if the company has a lot of orders, this should not become the rule.

Trainees are allowed to work overtime to take advantage of a bridge day, especially during peak periods – such as before public holidays. But there are deadlines here too: the overtime must be worked in the five weeks before the planned bridge day. This legal framework protects trainees and ensures that they are treated fairly.

Rights and obligations of trainees

With all the challenges that trainees are faced with, it is important to know your own rights, which are set out in the vocational training law (BBiG). This includes the right to a training contract, appropriate remuneration and also vacation. Young people under the age of 18 have the right to at least 25 days of annual leave, while adult trainees must receive at least 24 days.

Working hours are also regulated by law. For trainees under the age of 18, a maximum of eight hours per day and 40 hours per week is set. Employers are obliged to provide all work equipment free of charge and to continue to pay wages for up to six weeks in the event of illness.

However, the responsibility does not lie solely with employers; Trainees also have to take their duties seriously. This includes keeping a report book, compliance with the company regulations and the duty of care. In the worst case, violations can result in termination.

Especially at a time when the transition from school to work is more challenging than ever, it is important that young people know and enforce their rights. The contact person or the union can often be a good ally here so that you don't end up being left behind.