Simplified access to short-time working allowance expires

The simplified access to short-time work, which is limited until June 30, 2023, is not to be extended again.

The German government does not want to extend the simplified access to short-time work benefits beyond the end of June. The current simplifications, according to which there is no need to build up negative working time balances and it is sufficient if 10 % of employees are affected by a loss of working hours, were introduced at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and have been repeatedly extended since then. However, the economic development and the unexpectedly good situation on the labor market have now led the federal government to decide to let the simplification rules, which currently apply until June 30, 2023, expire. Short-time working will still be possible after this date, but only if at least 30 % of employees are affected by a loss of work. From 2020 to 2022, the state has set aside 45.5 billion euros for short-time working.