Brückenteilzeit (bridge part-time) is a German employment right allowing employees to request temporary part-time work for 1-5 years before returning to full-time employment.

Key Takeaways

  • Right to temporary part-time work (1-5 years)
  • Applies to employers with more than 15 employees
  • No minimum service period required
  • Automatic return to full-time at end of period
  • Employer can refuse only on defined grounds

What Is Brückenteilzeit?

Brückenteilzeit is Germany’s “bridge part-time” regulation, introduced in 2019. It allows employees to temporarily reduce their working hours for a defined period (1-5 years) before automatically returning to their previous full-time schedule.

Key Provisions

Employee Right (Section 9a TzBfG)

  • Right to request temporary part-time work
  • Duration: 1-5 years specified in advance
  • Minimum hours: 15 hours per week
  • Maximum hours: Less than regular working time
  • No qualifying period required

Employer Requirements

  • Applies to: Employers with more than 15 employees
  • Response deadline: 4 weeks for full-time, 8 weeks for part-time
  • Written notice of decision required
  • No minimum service period required

Employer Refusal Grounds (Section 9a(4))

  • Operational grounds (Betriebliche Gründe)
  • Planned measures would be disrupted
  • Costs would be disproportionately high
  • Staffing would be endangered
  • Written justification required

Return to Full-Time

  • Automatic return at end of Brückenteilzeit
  • Original position or equivalent
  • No renegotiation required
  • Date fixed in advance

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Employee Requests Bridge Part-Time

  • Situation: Employee wants 2-year part-time period
  • Process: Written application to employer
  • Employer response: Within 4-8 weeks
  • Decision: Approve or refuse with justification

Scenario 2: Employer Refuses Request

  • Situation: Employer cites operational grounds
  • Requirement: Written justification
  • Employee right: Challenge refusal in court
  • Burden of proof: On employer

Scenario 3: End of Bridge Period

  • Situation: 3-year period ending
  • Result: Automatic return to full-time
  • Position: Original or equivalent
  • No action required from either party

Compliance Checklist

  • Brückenteilzeit policy documented
  • Application process established
  • Response deadlines noted (4/8 weeks)
  • Refusal grounds understood
  • Return-to-full-time process defined
  • Job protection ensured
  • Social security coordination handled
  • Communication channels established
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