New Laws and Regulations May 2015

Unlike most months, this May, there are very few new regulations with most of them having been defered. What to expect this month is the introduction of:

Assisted Ausbildung

This is a newly introduced program that will enable disadvantaged youth a more intensive preparation for an Ausbildung and a successful completion of the Ausbildung. The core elements of the program will include individualised and continuous support and stabilization of the Ausbildung.

This will include help in evening out the language and technical deficits. Educational institutions are expected to support the Azubis throughout the Ausbildung with job training and internships in the preparatory phase, tutoring, counseling and tips on coping with life.

The companies employing these Azubis for their Ausbildung should also receive support in the management of the Ausbildung program, the applications sent in as well as with advice preferrably by working in cooperation with the vocational school.

 

In future this is also going to be rolled out to all young people that may need this kind of support.

Employment agencies and job centers will provide the so-called assisted Ausbildung for the first time with effect from the 2015/2016 academic year.

 

Gender Quotas 

After close to three decades, it’s now official, companies have to increase the number of women in their management boards. Over 100 of the publicly listed companies in Germany as well as governmental bodies will have to have at least 30% of their management boards occupied by women. Close to 3500 other companies as also targeted to increase their quotas later on this year. However, this regulation will not be compulsory until 2016.

For the federal government, the quota is set to rise to 50% by 2018. There are currently only 18,9% women in the Aufsichtsräte and only 5,7% in the management boards.

 

Energy Certificate (Energieausweis)

This was introduced in May 2014, however this month a fine will be introduced. The energy certificates are meant to classify electronic gadgets and even houses based on their energy efficiency ranging from A+ for very good to H for very bad. This will have to be stated on home advertisements. Landlords/landladies and real estate agents who do not adhere to this will now have to pay up to €15,000 fine.