If the original entrepreneur does not want to or can no longer continue their business, or if this does not appear to make sense from a financial or corporate strategy point of view, the company can be transferred to another legal entity. In the context of a transfer of an undertaking within the meaning of section 613a BGB, at least essential parts of the business must be transferred as an economic unit and are continued while preserving the existing corporate identity.
In the business world, business transfers are a regular occurrence. And yet, those affected are not always aware of the practical consequences associated with such a process and the concrete consequences that can arise for employees and employers.
Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte offers comprehensive legal assistance in labour law to both employees and workers. We provide skilled and committed support with the aim of bringing employment law disputes to a quick and effective conclusion, whether through out-of-court settlements or litigation. Please do not hesitate to contact us to benefit from our expertise.
Transfer of Business Ownership: Differentiation from other Processes
The central set of rules is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which applies equally in all EU countries. In addition, the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) still applies in Germany. The GDPR, which has been in force since May 2018, partially replaces and supplements the regulations of the Federal Act. However, the distinction between similar processes must always be kept in mind. A mere transfer of functions, i.e. the mere continuation of activities without transferring relevant operating resources and their actual use, does not trigger the legal consequences of § 613a BGB.
Inaccurately, undertaking transfers are sometimes referred to as (partial) closures. But beware, there are significant differences behind these similar terms. A plant closure constitutes an urgent operational requirement and thus justifies the dismissal of all employees for operational reasons (§ 1 (2) sentence 1 KSchG). In making this distinction, the Federal Labour Court is guided by the case law of the ECJ and draws on the following points:
- Does the transfer extend to essential tangible operating resources, such as production sites and means of production?
- Which essential intangible assets such as expertise, customer relations, and trademarks/copyrights are actually to be used by the new owner?
- Which parts of the workforce will be taken over with the aim of continued employment?
- Will the previous purpose of the enterprise be retained, and should it be pursued without a more prolonged interruption using – at least a similar – approach?
If the answers to these questions, taken as a whole, show that not only the “shell” of a company but its essence has been transferred, there is a transfer of business which triggers the legal consequences of § 613a BGB.
The central content of this provision is the protection of existing employment relationships. To thoroughly weigh up the risks and opportunities, the potential new employer would be well advised to be decisively aware of the requirements placed on them when taking over the business. Equally, of course, employees are also confronted with this new situation. Due to the ratio of § 613a BGB, the company’s transfer must not be to their direct disadvantage.
Transfer of the Employment Relationship § 613a(1) Sentence 1, BGB
The rights and obligations of the employee and the employer under the existing employment contract are continued directly by the operation of law concerning the new employer. If the employee is asked to sign a new employment contract, they may refuse to do so without any consequences.
Who is Protected by § 613a (1) sentence 1 BGB?
First of all, only persons who are in an employment relationship with the previous employer are covered. Fixed-term or suspended employment relationships (e.g. persons on parental leave), part-time employees, trainees or persons in managerial positions are excluded. Sometimes, however, the distinction can be problematic, primarily if the activity performed by a person cannot be explicitly assigned to the part of the enterprise being transferred. In such cases, the employee must be involved in deciding on the location.
The Prohibition of Dismissal under § 613a (4) BGB
The transfer of the undertaking itself does not justify dismissal by the new employer. However, other terminations for operational, personal or behavioural reasons are possible, as in any employment relationship. However, extreme care is required, especially concerning terminations for operational reasons. The validity of the dismissal must be clearly demarcated as being objectively business-related and in no way business-transfer-related.
Collective Agreements and Works agreements § 613a (1) p. 2 – 4 BGB
Collective agreements and work agreements are often an essential part of employment relationships. Accordingly, they must also be considered concerning a transfer of an undertaking. A distinction must first be made to make a concrete assessment:
- What is the nature of the previous inclusion of the collective agreement?
- Static (reference point remains the version that applied at the time of the conclusion of the agreement) and small dynamic (reference point is the said collective agreement in the current version) references in the employment contract to a collective agreement also apply directly to the new employer. However, if the reference is a significant dynamic reference, the collective agreements in force in the enterprise in their current version are the reference point. The “establishment” is then also understood to mean the establishment of the acquirer, even if other or even less favourable collective agreements apply here.
- Note: This only applies to employees who are membe