student job

The student job is an employment relationship between an employer and a student employee.

Importance for the economy

If you look at the number of students in Germany and the relative proportion of students who occasionally or regularly work during their studies , you can also see that these employment relationships represent an important economic factor for the Federal Republic of Germany, in addition to the numerous internships during a degree.

According to the 17th social survey by the German Student Union , 68% of over 2 million students are gainfully employed.

There are companies that specifically choose their locations in places with universities in order to work predominantly with a student workforce , for example call centers ( banks , telephone companies, teleshopping , etc.). In many places the catering industry also works primarily with student employees. As a rule, the employment offices in university locations operate their own branch offices to place student workers.

Social situation

Student jobs have various advantages: There are some amounts to finance living expenses or a vacation. In addition, you gain experience in the professional world. Where possible, activities should, however qualified, specially related employment with the study (see work study ).

In fact, the job also takes time and energy that a student needs to study. In spite of everything, the student is usually not independent of the grants from parents or the BAföG office ( the parents may subsidize the employer in question for cheap labor). If the degree takes longer than planned, the financial damage caused by the delayed entry into employment can be greater than the actual additional income that was achieved through the degree. Therefore, a student employee should make sure to at least acquire a pension insurance entitlement.

If you drop out of your studies, there is no hope that the employer will take over . Similar to a community service provider , trainee or intern , it is not easy for an employer to pay a much higher salary for the same person, which should actually be easily replaceable.

Legal situation

First, an employment contract must be concluded. The Evidence Act prescribes a period of one month after the start of work and certain content. The contract must z. B. contain information on the notice period, the start of the contract, the place of work, the activity of the student, the composition and amount of the remuneration and the duration of the vacation.

The classic form of employment is the student employment relationship, which in Germany allows up to 20 working hours per week during the lecture period, whereby one is considered to be exempt from health , long-term care and unemployment insurance. Since 1996 there has been a compulsory pension insurance for working students in Germany .

Some employers choose the option of concluding an employment relationship with a mini or mid- job and handling the taxes (pension insurance, health insurance) at a flat rate via the Federal Miners' Association. The legal background is the laws for modern services on the labor market of January 1, 2003 .

Some employers try to employ the student as a freelancer to avoid their obligation to pay social security contributions. Here, however, there may be a pseudo self-employment .

Student employees may not be paid less than permanent employees for the same activities ( principle of equality ).

The due date of the wages depends on the regulations in the employment contract. In the event of default in payment, the labor court is responsible.

Student employees are entitled to continued payment in the event of illness, holiday pay and paid vacation. This claim cannot be waived in the contract. If it is contractually agreed or customary in the company, the employer must also pay Christmas bonuses . In addition to the laws, the internal and collective agreements are also decisive for the details.

The student employee also enjoys protection against dismissal .

During their work, student employees also have the right to occupational safety (if necessary work shoes, dust masks, noise protection, etc.). Accidents at work must be reported to the professional association, because this is important as evidence in the event of later health complications.

There is an entitlement to a job reference . It should not only contain the duration of the employment relationship, but also name the activities. A benevolent and beneficial closing formula is that you would be happy about an employment relationship with this student in the next semester break.

In the meantime, the DGB unions usually accept students as members. Depending on the subject area and interests, there is also the possibility of membership in ver.di, IG Metall, IG BAU, IG BCE, GEW and the NGG union. As a union member you have a kind of legal protection there .

But also the normal legal expenses insurance often offer lower tariffs for students. The health insurance companies also provide information on social security contributions.

Legal situation in Switzerland

In Switzerland, the conditions for student jobs are comparable to those in Germany. The main difference is the handling and viewing of student jobs from the perspective of the social insurance. A distinction must be made between jobs at companies and jobs in private households. For companies, all jobs that are below an exemption limit of CHF 2,300 per year are generally considered exempt from the social security obligation. In contrast, jobs in private households are generally subject to social security contributions.

Web links

studieren.de - Working while studying: Important regulations and limit values