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Does a company outing count as working hours?
Company outing: Work time or leisure? Your rights and obligations!
Does the company outing count as paid working hours? This question concerns many companies and employees. Labour law provides clear answers, but there is also room for interpretation. Find out now about your rights and obligations so that your next company outing is a complete success! You can find more information here.
The topic, briefly and concisely
An office outing during regular working hours counts as working time and must be remunerated accordingly. However, participation is voluntary.
The statutory accident insurance applies during the official period of the company outing. Use tax allowances to reduce the costs of the company outing.
Clear communication and professional planning are crucial for a successful company outing. By increasing employee satisfaction by up to 20% and reducing turnover by up to 5%, a well-planned company outing can significantly strengthen employee engagement.
Find out if a company outing counts as working hours, what rights and obligations you have, and how to optimize the event for tax purposes. Get informed now!
A company outing can be an excellent opportunity to strengthen team spirit and enhance employee motivation. However, the question often arises: Does a company outing count as working hours? This article provides you with a comprehensive overview of the legal framework, your rights and obligations as employer and employee, as well as tax aspects. At GoTuro, we understand how important it is to organize such events optimally to ensure both the satisfaction of your employees and avoid legal pitfalls.
What does a company outing mean legally?
A company outing is an event organized by the employer, usually aimed at promoting the working atmosphere. It is important to distinguish the company outing from other corporate events such as Christmas parties or seminars. Legally, a company outing is treated differently, especially regarding the issue of working hours. Participation is generally voluntary, but counting it as working hours has implications for pay and insurance coverage. Further information on the definition and obligations can be found in the HR Lexicon by Personio.
Why is the question of working hours relevant?
The question of whether a company outing counts as working hours is relevant for several reasons. Firstly, it affects employee compensation. If the outing takes place during regular working hours, employees are entitled to continued payment. Secondly, insurance coverage plays an important role. During the official duration of the outing, employees are generally covered by statutory accident insurance. Thirdly, the question of participation is significant. Although participation is voluntary, employers must ensure that employees who do not participate can pursue another task during working hours. Younited® offers active and relaxed event options to cater to the diverse needs of employees.
Credit for working time: Compensate company outings during regular working hours
The central question is when a company outing is considered working time. The basic rule is: if the company outing takes place during regular working hours, it counts as working time. This means that employees receive their usual pay for that period. It is important for you as an employer to consider this during planning to avoid legal issues. A company outing that falls within regular working hours is treated like a normal working day regarding remuneration. This is particularly important for part-time employees, whose working hours may be regulated differently.
Company outing during regular working hours
If a company outing takes place during regular working hours, it is generally considered payable working time. This means your employees receive their regular pay for the duration of the outing. It is crucial that you consider this in planning and ensure that the working hours are recorded correctly. The firmenabc.com emphasises that a company outing during regular working hours results in normal wage payment.
Exceptions and special cases
However, there are exceptions and special cases you should be aware of. If the company outing extends beyond usual working hours, there is typically no entitlement to overtime pay since participation is voluntary. For company outings on weekends or public holidays, the time is generally considered leisure unless special agreements are in place. It is advisable to record such agreements in writing to avoid misunderstandings. The tagewerk-events.de states that employees are not required to make up the time for a company outing.
Participation in Company Outing: Voluntariness Ensures Employee Motivation
An important aspect when planning a company outing is the question of mandatory participation. In principle, participation in a company outing is voluntary. You cannot force your employees to participate. This also applies if the outing takes place during regular working hours. However, it is important that you as an employer establish a clear policy for non-participation. Gründer.de highlights that employees are not obliged to take part in a company outing, even if it occurs during working hours.
Mandatory Participation or Voluntary?
Participation in a company outing is essentially voluntary. This means that you as an employer cannot force your employees to participate. It is important to consider this during planning and to give employees the option to decide freely. Teamgeist GmbH points out that participation in a company outing cannot be enforced.
What Happens if Someone Does Not Participate During Working Hours?
If an employee does not wish to take part in a company outing scheduled during regular working hours, they are required to continue with their regular work. You as the employer must ensure that the employee is assigned an appropriate work task. It is not permissible to force the employee to take a leave day. It is important to find a fair solution that meets the interests of both the company and the employee. anwalt-suchservice.de explains that employees who do not participate in an outing must work but cannot be forced to take a holiday.
Illness on the Day of the Company Outing
If an employee is ill on the day of the company outing, the same regulations apply as for a normal sick leave. The employee must provide a doctor's certificate (medical certificate). It is important to communicate this clearly to avoid misunderstandings. factorialhr.de notes that employees who are ill on the outing day must present a medical certificate.
Labour Law: Continued Payment of Wages and Accident Insurance during Company Outings
In addition to the issue of working hours, there are other employment law aspects that you should consider when planning a company outing. These include compensation and accident insurance protection. It is important to familiarise yourself with the applicable regulations to ensure legal compliance. At GoTuro, as experts in incentive travel and special corporate events, we always ensure all legal requirements are met.
Compensation and Payment
During regular working hours, your employees are entitled to continued payment if the company outing falls during this period. This means you must pay employees the same wage they would receive on a normal working day. It is important to take this into account when planning your budget. Hirschfeld.de emphasises that employees cannot claim additional compensation if the outing extends beyond normal working hours.
Special Case: Part-Time Employees
For part-time employees, it must be noted that they are only entitled to pay for their regular working hours. If the company outing extends beyond regular working hours, there is no entitlement to additional compensation unless a separate agreement exists. It is important to consider this in planning to ensure equal treatment of all employees. Younited® points out that part-time employees are only compensated for their regular hours.
Accident Insurance Protection
During the company outing, your employees are generally covered by statutory accident insurance. This applies to both the journey there and back as well as the event itself. However, it is important to clearly communicate the start and end of the outing to ensure insurance coverage. There may be exceptions to coverage in cases of employee misconduct, such as excessive alcohol consumption. anwalt-suchservice.de explains that excessive alcohol consumption can void accident insurance coverage.
Reduce costs: Take advantage of tax allowances for company outings
The costs for a company outing can be considerable. It is therefore important to be informed about the tax treatment and to utilise possible allowances. Fundamentally, there is no obligation for the employer to fully cover the costs. There is the possibility that employees may contribute to the costs. At GoTuro, we help you plan costs effectively and take advantage of tax benefits.
Who bears the costs for the company outing?
Fundamentally, there is no obligation for the employer to fully cover the costs of a company outing. It is possible for employees to contribute to the costs. However, this should be clearly communicated in advance. Many employers do cover the costs entirely, to boost employee motivation and ensure a positive outing. Personio points out that employers are not obliged to cover all costs.
Tax treatment
For company outings, there is a tax allowance of 110 euros per participant and event, for a maximum of two events per year. If this allowance is exceeded, it becomes taxable wage. It is important to consider this in planning and to calculate the costs accordingly. Personio explains that an allowance of 110 euros per participant and event applies.
Ensuring legal certainty: Clear communication and professional planning
Successful execution of a company outing requires careful planning and clear communication. It is important to consider all relevant aspects in advance to avoid legal issues and ensure the outing is a complete success. We at GoTuro are happy to assist you with the planning and organisation of your company outing.
Clear communication is crucial
Clear communication is crucial for the success of a company outing. You should clearly announce the start and end of the outing to ensure insurance coverage. Moreover, you should inform employees about all relevant details, such as the itinerary, costs, and codes of conduct. Teamgeist GmbH emphasizes that clear communication about the beginning and end of the event is essential.
Fairness and equal treatment
All employees fundamentally have the right to participate in a company outing. It is important that you, as an employer, ensure all employees have equal opportunities to participate. Exceptions can only be made if operational reasons oppose, e.g., if an employee is assigned to emergency duty. anwalt-suchservice.de states that the employer must act fairly when assigning emergency duties during the outing.
Professional planning
To ensure that your company outing runs smoothly and all legal requirements are met, it is advisable to hire experienced event planners. They can support you in the planning and organisation and ensure all relevant aspects are taken into account. We at GoTuro have many years of experience in planning and executing company outings and are happy to assist you. Teamgeist GmbH recommends that planning be carried out by experienced professionals.
Enhancing Employee Retention: Company Outings as an Investment in Team Dynamics
A well-organised company outing can make a valuable contribution to employee retention and improve the working atmosphere. It is an investment in your team and can have a positive impact on your employees' motivation and willingness to perform. At GoTuro, we help you design a company outing that meets both the needs of your employees and supports your business goals.
Summary of Key Points
A company outing counts as working time if it takes place during regular working hours. Participation is generally voluntary, and employees are covered by statutory accident insurance during the outing. There is a tax-free allowance of 110 euros per participant and event. Clear communication and professional planning are crucial for the success of the outing. Personio offers a comprehensive overview of the definition and obligations of a company outing.
Importance for the Working Atmosphere
A well-organised company outing can significantly improve the working atmosphere. It offers employees the opportunity to get to know each other outside of everyday work and to strengthen team spirit. This can have a positive effect on cooperation and employee motivation. A successful company outing promotes employees' identification with the company and contributes to employee retention. Participation requirement is an important aspect that should be considered in the planning.
Outlook
The trends and developments in the area of corporate events are diverse. It is important to adapt to changing working conditions and employee needs. Sustainability and inclusion are playing an increasingly important role. Digitalisation also offers new opportunities to design company outings. At GoTuro, we are always up to date and are happy to support you in implementing innovative ideas. The cost per employee is an important factor in planning.
Planning a Company Outing: Checklist for Successful Implementation
Checklist for Planning Your Company Outing
Here is a checklist to help you plan your company outing successfully:
Set a Budget: Define a realistic budget for the outing.
Identify Your Audience: Consider the interests and needs of your employees.
Schedule the Date: Choose a date that works for most employees.
Select a Venue: Choose a location that is easily accessible and offers interesting activities.
Plan Activities: Organise a variety of activities that foster team spirit.
Consider Legal Aspects: Familiarise yourself with the legal requirements.
Communicate: Inform your employees in a timely and comprehensive manner.
Legal foundations are an important aspect of planning.
A company outing offers an excellent opportunity to strengthen team spirit and boost employee motivation. By considering your employees' interests and planning a diverse event, you can ensure the outing is a complete success. Be sure to take all legal aspects into account to avoid any unwanted surprises. With careful planning and organisation, your company outing will become an unforgettable experience for all involved.
Planning party trips can also be an interesting option.
Company outing with GoTuro: Incentive trips for motivated teams
More useful links
Im HR-Lexikon von Personio finden Sie eine Definition und Erläuterung der rechtlichen Pflichten rund um den Betriebsausflug.
Gründer.de emphasises that participation in a company outing is voluntary, even if it takes place during working hours.
anwalt-suchservice.de explains that employees who do not participate in an outing must work, but cannot be forced to take a holiday.
factorialhr.de points out that employees who are ill on the day of the outing must submit a medical certificate.
Hirschfeld.de emphasises that employees cannot claim additional compensation if the outing extends beyond regular working hours.
FAQ
Does a company outing count as working hours?
Yes, if the company outing takes place during regular working hours, it is generally considered working time and compensated accordingly.
Am I obliged to participate in a company outing?
No, participation in a company outing is generally voluntary. Employers cannot force you to participate.
What happens if I don't want to participate in the company outing during working hours?
If you choose not to participate in the company outing during regular working hours, you are usually required to continue with your regular work duties. The employer must assign you an appropriate task.
Is there continued payment of wages if the company outing takes place during working hours?
Yes, during regular working hours, you are entitled to continued payment of wages if the company outing occurs during this time.
Am I accident insured during the company outing?
Yes, during the official period of the company outing, you are generally covered by statutory accident insurance. This also applies to the journey there and back.
Who bears the cost of the company outing?
There is no general obligation for the employer to cover all costs. However, employers often cover the costs to boost employee motivation.
Are there tax allowances for company outings?
Yes, there is a tax allowance of 110 Euros per participant and event, up to a maximum of two events per year. Amounts above this are taxable.
What should I do if I'm ill on the day of the company outing?
If you are ill on the day of the company outing, the same rules apply as for a normal sick report. You must provide a medical certificate.
