Germany: the resounding cancelation of the layoff of a cashier sparked off a debate on layoff protection

“Emmely, the star of the day.” This is how political and union representatives welcomed Barbara E., better known under her nickname, Emmely, when she got out of the Federal Labor Court in Erfurt. Indeed, the federal judges gave her satisfaction rather than to her employer, the powerful Tengelmann retail group (case 2 AZR 541/09). She was fired without notice in early 2009 for stealing two deposit coupons for a total of €1.30, in spite of her 31 years in the company. She should be re-hired soon.
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reasingly precarious working conditions, called for a revision of the protection against layoffs in the light of this ruling. The Federation of Trade Employers (HDE) is completely opposed to this claim. (Ref. 100469)

“Emmely, the star of the day.” This is how political and union representatives welcomed Barbara E., better known under her nickname, Emmely, when she got out of the Federal Labor Court in Erfurt.

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