Leaving a German job is a formal act, and it produces a document that follows you for the rest of your career. Handled well, the departure costs a fortnight of politeness and leaves you with a reference worth having.
The vocabulary of resignation is small but exact, from the notice period to the handing back of keys. Learning it means you leave on your own terms and with the paperwork in order.
The Words of Leaving
| German term | English meaning |
|---|---|
| der Aufhebungsvertrag | the termination agreement |
| die Kuendigung | the notice of termination |
| die Kuendigungsfrist | the notice period |
| die Freistellung | the release from work |
| der letzte Arbeitstag | the last working day |
| die Uebergabe | the handover |
| das Zeugnis | the employment reference |
| der Abschied | the farewell |
Two routes end a German employment: your own Kuendigung, and a mutual Aufhebungsvertrag. The second can be quicker but often waives claims, so it should never be signed without reading what it gives up.
Giving Notice Correctly
| German term | English meaning |
|---|---|
| die schriftliche Kuendigung | the written notice |
| die Schriftform | the written form requirement |
| der Zugang | the receipt of the notice |
| das Monatsende | the end of the month |
| die Kuendigung durch den Arbeitgeber | the dismissal by the employer |
| die Kuendigungsschutzklage | the unfair dismissal claim |
| der Betriebsrat | the works council |
| die Begruendung | the reason |
A German resignation must be in writing and signed, and an email is not enough, though a scan sent the same day is prudent. Notice usually runs to the end of a month, and it is measured from the moment the letter reaches the employer.
Gardening Leave and Handover
| German term | English meaning |
|---|---|
| die bezahlte Freistellung | the paid release |
| die Uebergabe der Aufgaben | the handover of duties |
| die Dokumentation | the documentation |
| die Schluessel | the keys |
| der Zugang | the access |
| der Datenschutz | the data protection |
| die Abmeldung | the removal from the systems |
| die Rueckgabe | the return of equipment |
A firm may release you from work during the notice period while continuing to pay, which is common in sales and in management roles. The Uebergabe is documented, and returning keys, cards and equipment is confirmed in writing.
The Employment Reference
| German term | English meaning |
|---|---|
| das Arbeitszeugnis | the employment reference |
| das qualifizierte Zeugnis | the detailed reference |
| das einfache Zeugnis | the simple reference |
| die Beurteilung | the assessment |
| die Formulierung | the wording |
| das Wohlwollen | the benevolence required by law |
| die Berichtigung | the correction |
| der Anspruch | the entitlement |
Every German employee is entitled to a Zeugnis, and a qualified one must cover duties, performance and conduct. The law requires it to be written with goodwill, which is why a reference is read as a code rather than as plain praise.
Reading the Code
| German term | English meaning |
|---|---|
| die Taetigkeitsbeschreibung | the description of duties |
| die Leistungsbeurteilung | the performance assessment |
| die Verhaltensbeurteilung | the conduct assessment |
| die Dankesformel | the formula of thanks |
| die Bedauernsformel | the formula of regret |
| die Schlussformel | the closing formula |
| die Endnote | the final grade implied |
| das Datum | the date |
"Stets zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit" implies the top grade, while "zu unserer Zufriedenheit" implies a satisfactory one, and the absence of a regret formula says something too. That is why a reference can be corrected if it misstates the facts.
Counting the Days and the Money
| German term | English meaning |
|---|---|
| der Urlaubsanspruch | the holiday entitlement |
| der Resturlaub | the remaining leave |
| die Abgeltung | the payment in lieu |
| die Gehaltsabrechnung | the payslip |
| die letzte Abrechnung | the final statement |
| die Sonderzahlung | the special payment |
| die Rueckforderung | the recovery of an overpayment |
| die Frist | the deadline |
Remaining holiday that cannot be taken is paid in lieu at the end of the employment. A bonus already paid may be reclaimed in proportion if the contract allows it, so the final payslip deserves the same attention as the first.
Leaving Well
| German term | English meaning |
|---|---|
| das Abschlussgespraech | the exit interview |
| das Netzwerk | the network |
| die Empfehlung | the recommendation |
| die Referenz | the reference person |
| die Kontaktpflege | the keeping in touch |
| der Abschiedsgruss | the farewell message |
| die Formsache | the formality |
| die Wertschaetzung | the appreciation |
German careers are long and industries are small, so leaving well is an investment rather than a courtesy. A short farewell message, a clean handover and a reference person who remembers you kindly are worth more than any argument won in the last week.
Your Final Payslip and Papers
| German term | English meaning |
|---|---|
| --- | --- |
| die Resturlaub-Auszahlung | the payout of remaining leave |
| die Lohnsteuerbescheinigung | the annual tax certificate |
| die Abmeldung | the deregistration |
| die Sozialversicherung | the social insurance |
| das Arbeitszeugnis | the reference |
| die Arbeitspapiere | the employment papers |
| die Bescheinigung | the certificate |
| die Abrechnung | the final payslip |
The last month produces more paperwork than any other. The employer must deregister you with the social insurance, hand over the Lohnsteuerbescheinigung for the year so far, and confirm the end of the employment in writing.
Holiday that could not be taken before the last working day is normally included in the final payout, though the employer may instead release you from work so that you use it up during the notice period.
You may ask for a qualified reference, and the employer must issue one. The request should be made in writing before you leave, so that the wording can be discussed while the working relationship is still good.
The final payslip shows the payout of leave, any overtime still owed and the deductions for the closing month, and it is the document the employment agency asks for first when you register as a jobseeker.
Keeping a folder with the contract, the payslips, the tax certificate and the reference makes the next application and the next benefit claim far faster.
Ask for the reference in writing and keep a copy of the request; a small piece of paper protects a large piece of your professional reputation. If you want to leave a job on good terms and in clear German, learn German with a course built on the words of notice and references.
The bars show the order of the stages; each value is a sequence number rather than a duration.
Resigning in Germany
A German departure is a procedure, and every step of it is written down. Knowing the words for notice, handover and reference means you neither lose money nor lose a network.
The reference you receive will be read by every future employer, which is why the last weeks deserve more care than the first. If you want to learn German for work, the language of resignation and references is short, formal and worth mastering exactly.
A German resignation is written, timed and rewarded with a formal reference. Learn German with notice, handover and reference language built into the course.
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