FAQ – Protection against Exploitation: Dubious employers and job offers

If you are looking for a job, you read job offers. These may also include dubious offers: Offers that contain false information or have poor working conditions. These offers can harm you if you accept them.

False information can mean that the offer includes false promises (good promotion prospects, flexible working hours, etc.) or false information about salary or your duties. A job offer can also be dubious if the description is discriminatory: For example, only "young employees" are sought.

Dubious job offers are often difficult to recognise. They may seem good at first glance - for example, they offer a lot of money or short working hours. Many dubious job offers have the same characteristics that you can look out for.

You should be careful...

• if it is not clear who the employer is (which company).
• if the offer states that you can earn a lot of money quickly, but you don't need any professional qualifications (training, degree, work experience, etc.) to do so.

Please note: For well-paid jobs in Germany, you usually have to be highly qualified!

• if no gross salary is stated, but only a high net salary.
• if it does not contain any information about the type of work (which you must do).
• if no contact persons are named (who you can contact to find out more about the job).
• if no working hours and no work locations are specified therein (no weekly working hours).
• if only a telephone number is given as a contact, but no information about the company/business and no address of the company/business.
• if no company e-mail address is specified, but only private e-mail addresses.
• if important information is missing on the company's website (or the page referred to does not even belong to the offer).

If one or more points apply, you should ask or get help directly from the Fair Integration counsellors.

There are also a few things you can bear in mind during a first interview for a job. Your future boss should give you time to answer all questions and decide without pressure. Signs of dubious employers are if... 

• ... you are pressured to make a decision immediately/sign the contract straight away (without being able to read it at your leisure).
• ... you have to pay money to receive learning materials or documents.
• ... you have to hand over your identification documents (passport, identity card).
• ... you are not given copies of the signed documents.
• ... you are put under pressure in any way: For example, if you are told that there are other applicants who would work for less money. Or if you are told that the quicker you make a decision, the more money you will get. Or that you are only allowed to work if you are available at all times, etc.  
• ... you are not asked for your bank details, national insurance number or health insurance when you start work.

If you already have a job, you should make sure that your employment rights are respected. Here, too, there are signs that you can look out for. Dubious employers...

• ... do not give you a social security registration (you receive it at the start of every job subject to social security contributions).
• . .. always pay you in cash and refuse to give you information about your pay (don't give you a payslip)

Caution: you may be employed illegally! You should get help straight away, because illegal work is a criminal offence in Germany and can have negative consequences for you!

• ... put you under pressure, for example if you fall ill: they threaten to fire you or not pay you for the time you are ill.
•  ... demand your identity documents.

Please note: You should never hand over your original documents!

• ... require you to be constantly available (even at night) without being paid for this time.
• ... demand overtime from you that is not specified in your contract and is not paid.

If you feel that you are being treated unfairly or are being put under pressure, contact your Fair Integration advice centre directly. The counsellors will help you to assert your rights.

You can protect yourself from these offers by paying attention to the following:

• You should always read job descriptions carefully. If you don't understand them, you should ask or get help.
• You can check whether the offer is comparable with other job offers. You should look at similar job offers and compare the salary.
  For example: It is possible that the amount of money offered in a job offer is too high! In a job without qualifications, the salary will rarely be 3,000/5,000 euros gross per month. If the amounts stated are too high, it is possible that the offer is an attempt to attract labour. The working conditions may be poor, and you may receive less pay than stated.
• Never allow yourself to be pressured into accepting an offer or signing a contract straight away! Reputable employers will give you time to think everything through.
• Never sign a document if you do not understand it.
• Never hand over your identity documents! If your employer wants to see your passport/ID card or visa, you can make copies of these. You must always keep the original documents!

You can find out what must and must not be included in an employment contract in our FAQ employment contract. You can check whether all the important details are in your employment contract (names and addresses of the contractual partners, payment, working hours, place of work, holidays, notice periods, etc.).

You should also check:

• Does the employment contract look serious? (Is it written correctly? Is all the information correct? Are there any errors in the contract, for example grammatical errors?)
• Is it clearly recognisable who the contractual partners are (employer and employee)?
• Does the contract contain unusual supplements? Unusual supplements can be, for example, regulations on overtime or transfer to other work locations. If you're unsure whether you're at a disadvantage, get help.

Please note: You must check your employment contract before you sign it! With your signature you agree to the contract. After that, it will be difficult to revoke your consent. 

The following points should not be included in your employment contract:

• High and incomprehensible contractual penalties
• Long and disproportionate binding clauses: For example, if special payments are made dependent on you working for the company for at least ten years.
• Limitation periods of less than three months: A limitation period is the deadline (=time period) after which your entitlements to certain things, such as wage payments, expire.

During your training, your company must conclude a training contract with you. It states: Your place of work, place of learning (e.g. vocational school) and what content and times are included in the contract.

If you get an employment contract, that's not right! You should get help and seek advice!