Labor Law and Social Security Law
Labor law
Labor law governs the employment relationship: conclusion, modification, and termination of the employment contract, working time and rest, remuneration, discipline, and material liability. Know the distinction between an employment contract and a civil-law contract, the grounds for termination (including employer-initiated grounds and their conditions), and the guarantees for certain categories of workers.
Social security
Social security law covers pensions, benefits, and social services. Know the types of pensions (old-age, disability, survivor), the conditions for entitlement, and the main benefits (temporary disability, maternity, family benefits).
Traps
- Confusing dismissal at the employer's initiative with dismissal by agreement; the grounds and procedures differ.
- Assuming any breach justifies dismissal; disciplinary dismissal requires a defined procedure and time limits.
- Mixing the calculation of average earnings for vacation pay with severance pay.
- Forgetting that pension entitlement typically requires both age and contribution record.
Rule of thumb
For termination questions, identify who initiated, then check the statutory ground, then check whether the procedure and time limits were observed.
Worked example
An employer dismisses a worker for a single late arrival without requesting an explanation. The dismissal is procedurally defective because the explanation request is a mandatory step; the worker may seek reinstatement.