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Everyday German at work · A2–B1–B2 · 7 units

Arbeitsalltag

The German of your first months at any workplace in Germany: the first day, calling in sick, leave and shifts, the phone, the team meeting, the payslip — and a conflict about your workload with your manager.

Everyone starting work in Germany, in any job — from A2, ending at B2.

  1. 1. Der erste ArbeitstagA2Arrive and introduce yourself, choose between du and Sie, and ask where things are and how the day runs: the staff card, the time clock, the locker, the lunch break.
  2. 2. Krank meldenA2Call in sick before work, say what's wrong and how long you'll probably be off, hand over what's urgent, and know how the doctor's note reaches your employer.
  3. 3. Urlaub und freie TageA2Ask for leave and a day off, check the leave planner, swap a shift with a colleague, and say no — or hear a no — politely, with another solution.
  4. 4. Am TelefonB1Answer the phone for a colleague, put a caller through or take a message, have names spelled and read numbers back, and write a phone message anyone can act on.
  5. 5. Die TeambesprechungB1Take part in a team meeting: give a short update, ask a question, disagree politely and suggest something else, and agree on who does what by when.
  6. 6. Lohn und ArbeitszeitB1Read a German payslip — gross and net, tax, social insurance, extras, overtime — know the basic limits on working hours, and ask HR to correct a mistake, on the phone and in writing.
  7. 7. Konflikt mit der VorgesetztenB2Raise a workload problem with your manager, back it with facts, disagree politely, propose measures and agree on them — then confirm the agreement in a follow-up email.

The track's words

130 words in its units, and in its word set the words that go with them.

Study the set

The rules behind your working day in Germany

  • Ill? Tell your employer at once that you can't work and how long it will probably last — usually by phone before work starts.
  • If the illness lasts more than three calendar days, you need a doctor's certificate (AU) by the next working day at the latest. Your employer may ask for it earlier, even from the first day: check your contract.
  • With statutory health insurance, the doctor sends the certificate electronically and your employer collects it from your Krankenkasse (the eAU). You still call in sick yourself, and see the doctor in time.
  • If you're ill, your employer as a rule keeps paying you for up to six weeks — once you've been in the job for four weeks.
  • The legal minimum leave is 24 working days a year, counting Monday to Saturday: that is 20 days if you work five days a week. Many contracts give more. You get your full leave for the first time after six months in the job.
  • Leave is taken in the calendar year. It moves into the next year only for urgent reasons, and must then be taken by the end of March.
  • Working time is as a rule at most 8 hours a working day, and up to 10 if the average over six months stays at 8. After more than 6 hours you need a break of at least 30 minutes (45 after more than 9), and at least 11 hours of rest before the next working day.
  • The minimum wage has been 13.90 euros gross an hour since 1 January 2026.
  • With your pay, your employer has to give you a payslip in text form: the period, what the pay is made of, extras and deductions. It can be left out only when nothing has changed since the last one.
  • During an agreed probation period (at most the first six months), either side can end the job with two weeks' notice — unless a collective agreement says otherwise.
  • You have the right to be heard on matters at work that concern you personally. If your workplace has a works council (Betriebsrat), you may bring one of its members to talks about your pay, your appraisal, your career or a complaint. A complaint must not lead to any disadvantage for you.
§ 5 EntgFG — calling in sick, the doctor's note § 3 EntgFG — pay when you're ill § 109 SGB IV — the electronic sick note § 3 BUrlG — minimum leave § 3 ArbZG — working hours BMAS — the minimum wage § 108 GewO — the payslip § 622 BGB — notice, also in probation § 82 BetrVG — the right to be heard, with a works council member § 84 BetrVG — the right to complain

Rules change and depend on your state and your case — the official portals and your authority have the last word.