In principle, workers in Germany enjoy substantial protection against dismissal. If you have been working in a company with more than ten employees for more than six months, you cannot simply be dismissed. To fire you, your employer needs one of the following reasons:
- Operational reasons: If your company receives fewer orders and, therefore, can no longer pay all employees, you may be dismissed.
- Worker's conducts: You may be dismissed due to, e.g. cheating or stealing from your employer, insulting or harassing your colleagues, missing work without valid justification, surfing the internet at work or violating the company regulations.
- Personal reasons: If you are no longer able to do your job due to your individual condition or situation, you can be dismissed- for instance, if you are ill for a very long time or in case you lose your work permit.
Important: Employers are not allowed to dismiss you because of your age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, origin or alike.