Vacation, but Not Offline: Two-Thirds of German Workers Stay Reachable During Holidays

Even while lounging on a beach or hiking through the Alps this summer, most German employees remain just a phone call or email away from the office. A new survey by the digital industry association Bitkom, polling more than 1,000 workers, found that 66 percent of professionals stay available for their employers during their 2026 summer vacation.

The blurring line between leisure and work is nothing new. A separate study from IU, released in January 2026, already flagged the trend: 40 percent of respondents said they felt mentally "always on call." One-third reported feeling obligated to be reachable outside working hours—and the toll is measurable. The same share of workers said they experience daily emotional exhaustion.

No Legal Duty, Yet Many Choose to Stay Connected

Employment lawyers are clear on the rules: there is no legal requirement for employees to be reachable while on holiday. Vacation is meant for recovery, and employers cannot unilaterally revoke approved leave. The only exception is when a company’s continued operations face an immediate threat—only then may a boss interrupt or deny vacation time.

For those who voluntarily cut their holiday short, the law provides compensation: workers are entitled to reimbursement of travel costs and credit for unused vacation days. The rules differ in case of illness. According to rulings by the Supreme Court, falling sick during a period of time-off-in-lieu does not pause that time—the hours are considered used. For regular annual leave, however, days are credited back starting from the fourth calendar day of a medically certified illness.

Just as the law protects your right to disconnect on holiday, it also sets clear duties for keeping your workplace safe. Many UK employers unknowingly miss key compliance requirements under the Health & Safety at Work Act. A free toolkit provides nine ready-to-use tools—including risk assessments, checklists, and a director liability guide—to help you stay compliant. Download the free Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 Toolkit

Home Office Hazards and Travel Time Rulings

Modern work arrangements continue to generate legal questions. In spring 2026, the Hesse State Social Court ruled that a fall while getting food at home during remote work qualifies as a workplace accident, because it supports maintaining the worker’s ability to perform their job. Picking up takeaway meals, by contrast, does not fall under the same protection.

A separate ruling from the European Court of Justice in October 2025 (case number C-110/24) addressed compensation. Travel time in employer-provided vehicles to changing work sites counts as working hours—provided the employer sets the meeting point and the worker cannot freely manage their schedule. With Germany’s minimum wage at 13.90 euros per hour, this could mean additional claims of up to 400 euros per month for workers in sectors like construction or nursing.

Rising Sick Leave Sparks Reform Debate

Germany’s average sick leave hit 18.6 days in 2025, according to data from the Techniker Krankenkasse health insurer. The federal government is now preparing a reform package that includes scrapping the option for phone-based sick notes. Lawmakers are also discussing a requirement to submit a doctor’s certificate starting from the first day of illness.

With rising sick leave and complex safety regulations to manage, having the right documentation in place is more important than ever. A comprehensive Health & Safety Toolkit gives you instant access to risk assessments, checklists, and toolbox talks that cover key UK regulations like COSHH and PUWER. Over 37,000 UK businesses already use it to protect their teams. Get the free Health & Safety Toolkit

To reduce digital stress and conflicts over vacation coverage, mediators recommend clear written handovers and transparent team discussions about expectations for reachability. Ultimately, the responsibility for fair scheduling and protecting recovery time falls primarily on managers.

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