287. You wish to terminate your employment relationship with a company in Germany. What must you observe?

Answer options

1. the salary payments
2. the working hours
3. the notice period
4. the compulsory insurance

Explanation

When resigning, the decisive requirement is compliance with the statutory and contractually or collectively agreed notice period under § 622 BGB; deviations are essentially permissible only via collective agreements. The termination must also be in writing with an original signature (§ 623 BGB); email does not suffice. The duty to observe notice periods mediates between the employee’s freedom of occupation under Art. 12(1) of the Basic Law and the employer’s legitimate interests protected by the social state principle. Resignation without notice is permitted only for good cause (§ 626 BGB); otherwise, the employee risks damages claims and a waiting period for unemployment benefits (§ 159 SGB III).