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Working hours: Working time fraud: How companies can defend themselves

Doing laundry, going shopping, watching Netflix: Again and again, employees take care of private matters during their working hours. Where the fraud begins and what companies can do about it.

Translated from German Read in German

Working hours: Working time fraud: How companies can defend themselves

A survey by Consumerfieldwork found that 13% of 1000 German employees regularly do not accurately record their working hours, and three-quarters have done private activities while supposed to be working. According to Sascha Stowasser of the Institute for Applied Work Science (IFAA), this "worktime fraud" has significant economic impacts.

Employers can take action against employees who commit worktime fraud, which can lead to instant dismissal and, in extreme cases, a damage claim, such as a €21,000 fine in a recent case in Cologne. Experts say that poor management and unclear goals can contribute to worktime fraud, and that employers must have a concrete suspicion of wrongdoing before taking action.

Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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