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Company Outing & Time Tracking: How to Avoid Pitfalls!
A successful company outing strengthens team spirit. But how does it work with time tracking? Does participation count as working hours? And what about insurance coverage? Find answers to these questions and more in this article. We are happy to offer individual advice. Contact us here!
The topic, briefly and concisely
Participation in the company outing is generally voluntary, but clear communication and fair rules regarding time tracking are crucial for employee motivation.
Correct time tracking during the company outing is important for complying with legal regulations and creating transparency, which can reduce the risk of legal disputes by up to 50%.
Use digital time tracking systems to efficiently record and manage working hours, which can lead to an increase in employee motivation and a reduction in absences.
Plan a memorable company outing without incurring any legal or financial risks. Learn how to handle time tracking correctly and ensure your employees are optimally protected.
Plan an unforgettable company outing without incurring legal or financial risks. A successful company outing strengthens team spirit and employee motivation. However, alongside fun and good vibes, it's important to consider some key aspects, especially correct time tracking. This is not only relevant from a legal perspective but also for transparency and fairness towards your employees. We at GoTuro help you to optimise your next company outing and keep all the framework conditions in mind.
In this article, you will learn everything important about company outings and time tracking. We'll address when a company outing counts as working hours, how to handle overtime and compensatory time, and which tax aspects need attention. Additionally, we provide practical tips for organising and carrying out your company outing, ensuring it's a success for everyone involved. Correct working time tracking is crucial to comply with labour law requirements and to create transparency for both employers and employees.
We show you how to manage time tracking correctly and optimally secure your employees. We also address the specific needs of part-time employees and explain how to handle continued pay during a company outing correctly. The issues of accident insurance and tax exemption are also covered in detail. With our tips and advice, you are well-equipped to make your next company outing an unforgettable experience. Use this opportunity to strengthen team cohesion and show appreciation to your employees.
Participation in the company outing: Volunteering boosts employee motivation
Participation in a company outing is generally voluntary. This is an important aspect that significantly influences employee motivation and engagement. However, there are exceptions, such as when something different is stipulated in the employment contract or in a company agreement. In such cases, participation may be mandatory. Nevertheless, it is advisable to emphasize the voluntary nature to give employees the feeling that their decision is respected. The voluntariness of participation is a key factor for the acceptance and success of the company outing.
A company outing can either be considered as working time or as a leisure event, depending on the timing and duration. If the company outing takes place during regular working hours, it is generally considered as working time. Events outside working hours, for instance on weekends, are regarded as leisure events. This distinction is important for accurate time recording and the associated employee entitlements. The differentiation between working time and leisure events has direct implications on continued wage payment and compensatory time off.
The decision to hold a company outing is not subject to co-determination by the works council. However, the works council has a say in the design of working conditions related to the company outing, such as rules on working hours. Good cooperation with the works council can help to organize the company outing in a way that is beneficial for all employees. The works council can provide valuable suggestions and advice to optimize the company outing. For more information on this topic, please refer to the works council lexicon.
Company outing as working hours: Handle pay continuation and overtime correctly
If the company outing takes place during regular working hours, participating employees are entitled to continued payment. The time is treated as normal working hours. This means that employees receive their regular wages for the duration of the company outing. It is important to consider this when planning the company outing to accurately calculate costs. The continued payment is a key aspect in increasing acceptance of the company outing among employees.
If the company outing exceeds regular working hours, there is not automatically an entitlement to overtime unless stated otherwise in a company agreement or employment contract. In many cases, it is assumed that participation in the company outing is voluntary and therefore no overtime occurs. It is advisable to clearly communicate this in advance to avoid misunderstandings. The regulation of overtime and compensatory time off should be transparent and fair. Personio offers software solutions for simplified time tracking, including overtime management and compensatory time off.
Part-time employees are only credited with the hours that fall within their regular work schedule. It is important to avoid discrimination compared to full-time employees. Accurately recording the working hours of part-time employees and ensuring they are not disadvantaged is crucial. This can be achieved, for example, through proportionate crediting of working hours or appropriate compensatory time off. Correctly accounting for the working hours of part-time employees is an important aspect of fairness and equal treatment.
Company outing outside of working hours: Use compensatory time off as an incentive
If the company outing takes place over the weekend or on a public holiday, it is generally considered a leisure event. There is no entitlement to continued payment of wages. In this case, it is particularly important to emphasize the voluntary nature of participation and to give employees an incentive to take part nonetheless. Participation in a leisure event should be made appealing to employees to achieve high levels of participation.
To encourage participation, the employer can offer a time-off compensation. However, this is voluntary and not legally mandated. Time-off compensation can be granted in the form of additional vacation days or a credit to the working time account. This is an effective way to express appreciation to employees and to boost their motivation. Attractive time-off compensation can significantly increase the willingness to participate.
The statutory accident insurance only applies if the company outing is organized and supervised by the employer. Accidents after the official end of the event or on personal detours are generally not covered. It is therefore important to clearly communicate to employees when the company outing officially ends and which behaviours are covered and which are not. Clear communication about insurance coverage is essential to avoid legal issues in the event of an accident. For more information about accident insurance, please contact your insurance provider. According to Teamgeist.com, employers should clearly communicate the start and end times to ensure insurance coverage.
Digital Time Tracking Systems: Efficiency and Precision during Company Outings
Traditional methods such as timesheets or attendance lists can be used, but they are prone to errors and time-consuming. These manual methods require a high level of administrative effort and are susceptible to transmission errors. Additionally, they offer little transparency and are difficult to control. Manual time tracking is therefore inefficient and outdated.
Modern time tracking systems provide efficient and precise recording of working hours. They enable the automatic calculation of overtime and compensatory time. These digital solutions are easy to use and offer high transparency. In addition, they can be integrated into existing HR systems. Digital time tracking saves time and costs and reduces the risk of errors. The digital time tracking can simplify attendance recording and facilitate the management of overtime and compensatory time.
Personio offers features for attendance recording, overtime management, and compensatory time. The software simplifies the management of working hours and ensures transparency. With Personio, you can easily and accurately record and manage your employees' working hours. The software also provides extensive analysis options and supports you in complying with legal requirements. Personio is a comprehensive solution for attendance recording and management.
Employer Responsibilities: Ensuring Employment and Insurance Coverage
Employees who do not participate in the company outing are required to work during regular working hours. The employer must offer them suitable employment. It is not permissible to simply send employees home or force them to take leave. The employer is obliged to provide meaningful work. The obligation to work remains for non-participating employees during the company outing.
If the company is closed, the employer must offer alternative employment options, such as working from home. Otherwise, they must release the employees with continued pay. It is important to offer employees a flexible solution that suits their needs. The alternative employment can be in the form of project work or further training measures. The employer must ensure that employees can fulfil their obligation to work even during the company outing.
The employer must ensure that employees are sufficiently insured (statutory accident insurance) during the company outing. Clear communication about the start and end of the event is important. The employer should inform employees about the scope of the insurance cover and offer additional insurance if necessary. Ensuring insurance cover is an important duty of the employer. According to Anwalt-Suchservice.de, accidents during the outing are covered by statutory accident insurance, provided the outing is organised and supervised by the employer.
Take Advantage of Tax Benefits: Allowances and Flat-Rate Taxation for Company Outings
The costs for the company outing are tax-free up to an amount of 110 euros per person and event. This applies to a maximum of two events per year. It is important to calculate the costs per person accurately to avoid exceeding the tax-free amount. The tax exemption is an attractive advantage that makes the company outing appealing to both employers and employees. Adhering to the tax-free amount is crucial for the fiscal recognition of the company outing.
If the costs exceed the tax-free amount, the employer can tax the excess amount at a flat rate of 25 percent. This simplifies the accounting process. The flat-rate taxation is a straightforward and uncomplicated way to claim the costs for the company outing for tax purposes. It offers an alternative to the individual taxation of benefits. The flat-rate taxation is particularly useful if the costs significantly exceed the tax-free amount.
The company outing is considered a customary benefit from the employer. It must not be mixed with other benefits to ensure tax exemption. It is important to record the costs for the company outing separately and to distinguish them from other benefits. Only in this way can tax exemption be secured. The correct delineation of benefits is a key aspect of the tax treatment of the company outing. Further information on the tax aspects of company outings can be found in the Works Council Lexicon.
Company outing and time recording: Clear regulations for fair working time management
The correct time recording during a company outing is important to comply with legal regulations and ensure transparency. Clear rules and open communication are crucial. It is advisable to make clear agreements with employees in advance and document these in writing. The time recording should be transparent and understandable. Open communication helps to avoid misunderstandings and build employee trust. Clear rules and transparent communication are the key to successful time recording during a company outing.
Digitalisation offers new opportunities for efficient time recording and management. Flexible working time models require even more precise recording of working hours. Modern time recording systems allow for simple and precise recording of working hours and help you comply with legal regulations. Digitalisation provides numerous benefits for time recording and management. Flexible working time models require even more precise recording of working hours to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
Employers and employees share responsibility for fair and transparent work time management. This contributes to a positive working environment and high employee satisfaction. Fair and transparent work time management is an important factor for employee motivation and engagement. Employers and employees should work together to create a working environment where everyone feels comfortable and can perform optimally. We at GoTuro are happy to support you in making your next company outing an unforgettable experience.
Unforgettable company outings with GoTuro: Plan now and strengthen team spirit!
More useful links
In the Betriebsratslexikon you will find further information and legal advice on the topic of company outings.
Personio offers software solutions for simplified time tracking, including overtime management and compensatory time off.
Anwalt-Suchservice.de informs that accidents during company outings are covered by statutory accident insurance, provided the outing is organized and supervised by the employer.
FAQ
What counts as working hours during a company outing?
In principle, a company outing during regular working hours is considered working time. However, if it takes place outside regular working hours (e.g., at the weekend), it is generally regarded as a leisure event.
Do employees have to participate in the company outing?
No, participation in a company outing is generally voluntary. Unless there is a different company agreement or provision in the employment contract.
What happens if an employee does not want to participate in the company outing?
Employees who do not participate in the company outing must fulfil their work obligation during regular working hours. The employer must offer them appropriate work.
How are overtime hours during the company outing handled?
If the company outing exceeds regular working hours, there is generally no entitlement to overtime, unless otherwise stipulated.
How is continued payment of wages regulated during the company outing?
If the company outing takes place during regular working hours, employees who participate are entitled to continued payment of wages.
What role does the works council play in the company outing?
The decision to hold a company outing is not subject to the co-determination of the works council. However, the works council has a say in the design of working conditions.
What is the tax-free amount for a company outing?
The costs for the company outing are tax-free up to an amount of 110 euros per person and event, with a maximum of two events per year.
What advantages does a digital time recording system offer during the company outing?
Modern time recording systems provide efficient and precise time tracking, allow for the automatic calculation of overtime and compensatory time, and reduce the risk of errors.
