National Reports

GERMANY

30 September 2000
IBM Speichersysteme GmBH
Company agreement

New company agreement between the work council and the IBM Speichersysteme GmbH, a daughter of the IBM.
[print only]

June 2000
Lothar Kamp, published by H-B-Stiftung
Analyses of agreements on telework

This is a small pamphlet published by the H-B-Stiftung, reviewing a larger detailed study of 68 telework agreements. People interested in the whole study can order it from the H-B-Stiftung.
The study concluded that the main issues to be considered when implementing telework are:
1.maintaining standards of health and safety at work
2.responsibility for resolving hardware and software problems
3.allowing access by shop stewards and unions to teleworkers
4.allowing access by teleworkers to company communications infrastructure
5.encouraging employee self-management
6.avoiding control and monitoring of employees, leading to repetitive work
[download]

June 2000
DPG / DPG-HV
DPG-HV Pilot Company Agreement

This first company agreement for implementing telework in a union (the DPG) was agreed in June 2000. The company agreement covers a pilot project. Under this agreement, telework can be either alternative or mobile working. The agreement came into effect in July/ August 2000.
The DPG has a company-wide agreement and a supplementary agreement under their contracts of employment for each employee. The main objective for introducing telework is to improve support for union members, enhance flexibility and quality of work and increase job satisfaction.
The results of the pilot project may help in the restructuring of the DPG.
[download]

February 2000
Prof. Jäckel, Christoph Rövekamp
University of Trier
Telearbeit auf dem Prüfstand
(Practicability of telework)

The university of Trier in Germany is currently carrying out a project about the influence of telework on work and free time. The project has been carried out until January 1999, the first results have been published in February 2000. 163 teleworkers have been asked, this study allows first views into their working and private life.

The study shows how they organise themselves, handle low motivation-phases, co-ordinate their work between company and home. The study also looks after qualification needs like time belonging to the company or trust in the employee. It analyses the basic qualifications needed and the position in the company as well as the tasks carried out by telework.

Last but not least it looks after the implications of telework on the private life. These are first results, the study continues in 2000.

February 2000
Ilse Kusulis
IBM
Neue berufliche Chancen durch innovative Lernformen
(New chances on the labour market by new learnmethods)
A presentation first held at the Learntec in Karlsruhe at the 11 February 2000

WABE is a qualification-project developed especially for women after the family-break. The qualification they get has been called “Information-Assistent”. They acquire these qualification mainly via telelearning and teleworking, which makes it very unique in Germany. The qualification was split in 75% telelearning and 25% lessons as usual. Every participant got the technical equipment needed from the IBM. The main learning objectives where communication, time-management, organisation, managing conflicts, english, Windows-programs, Internet and E-Mail, economics. Practical work for 10 weeks in a company was obligatory for all participants. The qualification was very successful, as 15 from 18 participants found employment.

3 February 2000 (project launch)
BRINA – Brandenburger Netzwerk für Arbeitnehmen (Network for employees in Brandenburg)
DGP, IG-Medien- HBV, Kooperationsbüro Multimedia, Europäischer sozialfonds, Deutsche Telekom AG, RKW

BRINA is at the moment only present in the net, publications have not been printed yet:
http://www.brina.net/

BRINA is a new project between the three unions DPG, HBV and IG-Medien (already carrying out the successful project "OnForTe") supported by the EU and the Deutsche Telekom.

Task of the project is employee-orientated consulting on:
Telework
Objective orientated work
Flexible working
Other forms of work contracts than being employee (freelancer, self-employed)

Qualification measures will also be offered.

BRINA is situated with a call centre in the east of Germany, in Potsdam.

The project will spread information via:
Public events
Presentations on events or works assemblies
Regional fairs
Consultations on bodies and boards
Personal consulting

The project is set up for 1 ½ years and will be available via phone, fax, e-mail and Internet.

This is the second project set up with the "Multimediabüro" (a project with the DPG, IG-Medien, HBV) consulting employee-orientated on new forms of work.
[download]

2000
TA Telearbeit
Abschlussdokumentation Modellversuch Telearbeit in der hamburgischen Verwaltung
(Documentation of the experiment telework at the municipal authority of Hamburg)

Detailed research of a project in the municipal authority of Hamburg.
The project was carried out with 13 teleworkers in the 1998/1999.

The study takes in account advantages and disadvantages for the teleworker, their family, their colleagues and superiors. Organisational changes were analysed as well as technical aspects. The project fulfilled all the expectation the teleworkers had, mainly:
more flexibility;
savings on commuting times;
working more self-determinated;
working more undisturbed at home;
more productivity;
better compatibility of work and private life.

The project was assessed to be very successful by all persons involved, the teleworkers, the superiors and colleagues.
[download]

2000
DGB union
Anwenderplattform Telearbeit
(Platform for telework users)
Internet-based material can be viewed at
http://www.anwenderplattform-telearbeit.de/netzwerkfrauen

A press release from the "Anwenderplattform Telearbeit": a new project first presented on the "CEBIT 2000". A team of ten experts is answering all occurring questions from telework in the net. The "Anwenderplattform" was set up by the "Deutsch Telekom AG" and the DGB and has now already 40 partners belonging to unions, organisations, companies or associations.

The DGB is estimating a real increasing in the number of teleworkers in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg in the next years. The "Forum Soziale Technikgestaltung) (forum for social technique realisation) of the DGB points out that telework must be carried out under social standards and under work contracts.
[download]

May 1999
Bibiane Dowerg
University of Bochum
Alternierende Telearbeit für Frauen im Wissenschaftsbereich
(Alternate telework for women working as knowledge-workers

The project started in 1997 as a pilot-project with one female participant. The teleworking-experiences of the participant is discussed in a wide context. The whole working and private situation has been analysed. The situation was compared with other teleworkers and the expectations of the teleworker, colleagues and superiors.

Despite the fact, that the study-subject is only one teleworker the study is very comprehensive and discusses all aspects of telework.

1999
DPG, DeTeCSM, DeTeSystem:
Tarifvertrag über Telearbeit bei der DeTeCSM, Tarifvertrag über Telearbeit bei der DeTeSystem
(Collective agreements on telework with Telekom AG subsidiaries DeTeCSM and DeTeSystem)

Two more collective agreements on telework between the DPG and Telekom AG subsidiaries. The Telekom AG is the only German company with collective agreements about telework, most companies have company agreements. These both collective agreements regulate alternate as well as mobile teleworking. Dialogue between the DPG and the employer on a regular basis was also agreed. The agreements give the union the possibility to contact the employees by electronic media. The agreements came into force 1 January 2000 and are valid until the end of the year.
[download DeTeCSM document]
[download DeTeSystem document]

1999
Arbeiterkammer Bremen:
Telearbeit gestalten
(Organising telework)
Published on the Internet:
http://www.barkhof.uni-bremen.de/tbs/themen/teleinh.htm

The "Arbeiterkammer Bremen" (the "Arbeiterkammer" is a non-profit-organisation, where all workers are automatically members, doing union-like work) has published internet-pages about telework.

The pages give an overview about chances and risks, show unions positions and best practise examples of collective agreements.

The pages show which parts of industrial law could be applied and where works councils have the right of participation.

For more information the pages are well linked and have also a bibliography.

The internet-pages give a good overview of agreed contracts and unions or works council positions as well as indicating all the risks and opportunities arising from telework.

1999
Deutsche Telekom and DPG:
Tarifvertrag über Telearbeit bei der Deutschen Telekom AG und T-Mobil
(Collective agreement on telework at the Deutsche Telekom AG and T-Mobil)

This is the first collective agreement between the German Deutsche Telekom and the union DPG regulating the handling of working over time or less. It allow more flexibility for the employees documenting their working hours on so called "Arbeitszeitkonten", files where the hours worked are summed up. It allows employees to have 100 hours overtime and discuss with the company what to do with that. The priority is to take it as free time. If this is not possible employee and superior have to discuss what to do with that: carry it forward or pay the money value.
[download]

1999
Deutsche Telekom and DPG:
Tarifvertrag über Telearbeit bei der Deutschen Telekom AG und T-Mobil
(Collective agreement on telework at the Deutsche Telekom AG and T-Mobil)

This is the second collective agreement between the Deutsche Telekom and the DPG about Telework. The agreement was signed in 1999 after the pilot agreement dating 1995 has been successfully finished as the research results showed. Under this new agreement telework is now a variety of work flexibility open to all employees, if the work is suitable and is economically useful.

The agreement allows alternate and mobile telework.

This is the first collective agreement ensuring contact between the union and the teleworker. It ensures permanent contact between the union and the teleworker and enables the union to lobby for on-line workers.
[download]

1999
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln
Teleskop – Telearbeit für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen
(Teleskop – Telework for small and medium sized enterprises)
The Teleskop project mainly exists on the Internet and is located at
http://www.teleskop.de/

The Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln (IW) has been carrying out the TELESKOP project since January 1998 with support from the North-Rhine Westphalian EU-Programme ADAPT. TELESKOP is derived from making use of telework potential by sensitisation of SMEs and co-operation in the development of training profiles for decision makers. TELESKOP will finish on 30th June 2000. TELESKOP aims to support managers and supervisors in small and medium-sized enterprises that wish to introduce telework. It provides support in planning, preparing and performing the work by advising and training. This project is intended for the decision-makers in small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition training is provided for the teleworkers and other employees in the enterprise. The presentation in the net includes FAQs, check-lists, best-practise examples and a hotline-service.
[download]
[download (EN)]

1999
IBM
IBM Beschreibung Zorn
(Project description of telework at IBM)

Description of the practice of telework at IBM. Number of teleworkers, technical equipment etc. Over view about advantages and disadvantages or telework for companies. Details how telework was introduced and is practised at IBM
[download]

1999
Netzwerk Soziale Technikgestaltung
(network for social technique realisation)
Netzwerk Telearbeit und Frauen
(Network Telework and women)
Internet-based material can be viewed at
http://www.anwenderplattform-telearbeit.de/netzwerkfrauen

The "Network Telework and Women" is a co-operation between the "forum social technique realisation" and the DGB.

Main goals are for example: information sharing; lobbying; realisation of women's demands on working life; development of criteria for good telework.

This offer in the net provides information for all working women in digital networks, entrepreneurs, self-employed, multiplicators in companies and associations and start-ups as well as women looking for flexible work. For example the network tries to fix standards for telework and has links to employment agencies. Current events on telework are mentioned and the people working for the network do a lot events themselves all over Germany.
[view the document]
[download flyer 1]
[download flyer 2]

1999
Arbeitnehmer der DB AG (TeleTV)
Tarifvertrag über alternierende Teleheimarbeit für die Arbeitnehmer der DB AG (TeleTV)
(Collective agreement about tele-homeworking at the German rail)

The collective agreement on tele-homeworking is the first for the employees at the German rail and sister companies (DB AG, DB Anlagen und Haus Service GmbH, DB Arbeit GmbH (Overhead), DB Cargo AG, DB Gastronomie GmbH, DB Informatik-Dienste GmbH, DB Netz AG, DB Regio AG, DB Regionalbahn Rhein-Ruhr GmbH, DB Regionalbahn Rheinland GmbH, DB Regionalbahn Westfalen GmbH, DB Reise&Touristik AG, DB Station&Service AG, DB Tank Service GmbH, DBEnergie GmbH, Deutsche Bahn Immobiliengesellschaft mbH, Regionalbahn Schleswig-Holstein GmbH, S-Bahn Hamburg GmbH, TLC). It regulates alternate tele-homeworking.

It points out that teleworkers will have no disadvantages compared to other workers and the social contact to the company has to be maintained. Working hours at home and the company have to be agreed and written down. Telework can be cancelled with a with an expiring time of one month.
[download]

1999
BMWI, state of Hessen, Arbeitsamt (labour exchange), DLR, cooperation-partner OnForTe:
Telejobservice
http://www.telejobservice.de/

The "Telejobservice" was set up in 1999 as a result of increasing demand for teleworking. The public labour exchange could not often satisfy this demand or did not have sufficient information.

This project is the first public one in Germany trying to offer a sound platform in the internet for employers offering and people looking for telework (employees and selfemployed).

The "Telejobservice" will support the development of telework in Germany.

For employees the service also offers:
Knowledge about telework
A selftest showing the aptitude for telework
Links around the subject
[download]

December 1998
Siemens
Betriebsvereinbarung Telearbeit
(company agreement telework)

One of the newest company agreements on telework in Germany. Specifies the recording of working-hours by putting down the times by the employees. The company has to ensure that the communication addressees in the office will also be retained. Information about telework is for superiors and employees held in the Intranet.
[download]

December 1998
Allianz management and works council
Betriebsvereinbarung Telearbeit
(company agreement telework)

A very extensive company agreements on telework in Germany.
[download]

1998
Federal state of Bremen/works committee for all employees employed by the state of Bremen
Dienstvereinbarung Modellversuch „Alternierende Telearbeit"

This service contract for a model project was agreed in 1999 between the works council for all employees of the state of Bremen and the state of Bremen. At the moment the interest to work under this contract is high, but only four people are is working so far. The works council saw the necessity to suggest such a service contract because of several interest between the employees.

The main goal of the contract is to "give employee the possibility for a better arrangement between work and personal life". The main goal from the employer was to "reach a higher flexibility of work organisation by alternate telework and so a better quality of work as well as more productivity."

Voluntariness and the prohibition of discrimination regarding anything relating to telework as the right to stop telework at any time was agreed.

The status of being employee and the validity of all work legislation was also agreed. All employees have to word at least one year for the employer before they can work as alternate teleworkers.
[download]

1998
Standards and guidelines for working in call centres, deriving from a conference of works councils and others, organised by the "Multimediabüro", a joint project of the three unions - HBV, IG Medien and DPG:
Leitbilder und Standards für Callcenter
(Guidelines and standards for call centres)
The document can be accessed on the Internet:
http://www.multimediabuero.de/

The main points are:
Call centres should create secure labour relations
Most important corner stones relating to working hours are collective agreed
Workplace complies to ergonomic demands
Wages consider all skills and qualifications
Work organisation and work content allow creativity
Call centres offer qualification and occupational perspective
Shop-floor participation and lobbying by unions is accepted
Qualitative measures instead of quantitative instead of indices and control
[download document]
[download presentation (PPT)]

1996
IBM company and shop stewarts committee
Betriebsvereinbarung über flexible Arbeitsplätze
(Collective agreement for flexible working)

This agreement enables employees to work at customers, in different affiliates of IBM, on business trips or at home.
The agreement ensures the remaining integration of the employees in the company.
The company will make use of desk sharing.
The agreement ensures the retention of unions rights and influences.
[download]