• Mehr als 3 Millionen Wörter Inhalt
  • |
  • info@itmedialaw.com
  • |
  • Tel: 03322 5078053
Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel - ITMediaLaw

No products in the cart.

  • en English
  • de Deutsch
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
Kurzberatung
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel - ITMediaLaw

Digital employment contracts: Soon to be a reality at last

26. August 2024
in Labour law
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
0
DigitalServiceAct
Key Facts
  • The German government will allow digital employment contracts from March 21, 2024 in order to reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
  • The Evidence Act previously required written contracts, which meant a great deal of effort for employers.
  • The reform enables contracts in text form, e.g. by email or as a PDF with a digital signature.
  • The bureaucratic effort is reduced, which particularly benefits start-ups and agencies.
  • Digital contract processing simplifies the hiring of new employees and project contracts for freelancers.
  • Companies need to implement technological solutions for digital signatures and contract storage.
  • The reform signals a modern employer brand and promotes digitalization in HR.

The world of work is undergoing a digital transformation – but when it comes to employment contracts, of all things, there is still a problem. Until now, employment contracts still had to be signed on paper in most cases in order to meet the requirements of the Evidence Act. But this is now set to end: On March 21, 2024, the German government agreed that employment contracts can also be concluded digitally in future. This is an overdue change that will make things much easier for start-ups, agencies and the digital sector in particular.

Content Hide
1. The Evidence Act: a hurdle for digital contracts
2. The planned reform: digital contracts become possible
3. Huge opportunity for start-ups and agencies
4. How to make the switch
5. Conclusion
5.1. Author: Marian Härtel

The Evidence Act: a hurdle for digital contracts

In principle, German employment law, in particular Section 611a of the German Civil Code (BGB), has no formal requirements for the conclusion of an employment contract. Theoretically, an employment contract could therefore also be concluded verbally or digitally.

The problem lies in the Evidence Act. This obliges employers to set out the main terms of the contract in writing, sign them and hand them over to the employee. This includes, among other things, information on the type of work, the start of the employment relationship, the composition and amount of remuneration as well as working hours and vacation entitlement.

Violations of this obligation to provide proof can result in severe fines. In practice, this means that most employment contracts are still concluded in paper form with handwritten signatures – an enormous bureaucratic burden in the digital age.

The planned reform: digital contracts become possible

With the reform now planned, it should also be possible to provide evidence of the contractual terms in text form, e.g. by email or as a PDF document with a scanned signature. This means that employment contracts can be concluded completely digitally.

The written form should only be mandatory in certain sectors with an increased risk of undeclared work, such as the construction industry or the catering sector. For all other sectors, in particular the digital economy, the text form should be sufficient.

This removes one of the last hurdles to end-to-end digital processes in HR. Companies can gain enormous speed and efficiency as a result.

Huge opportunity for start-ups and agencies

This is a huge relief, especially for start-ups, agencies and IT companies that often work completely digitally and remotely. New employees can be hired more quickly and easily without having to send paper contracts back and forth.

It also makes things much easier for influencers and freelancers who work on a project basis. Orders can be fixed quickly via a digital contract, without media disruptions and postal delivery times.

The change is also an important signal for a modern, digital employer brand. Especially in the competition for talent, companies can position themselves as progressive and employee-oriented.

How to make the switch

In order to benefit from the new opportunities as a company, some preparation is necessary. The switch to digital contracts should be carefully planned.

Above all, a suitable technical solution for digital signatures and contract storage is important. Many providers offer intuitive and legally compliant solutions in this area. Internal recruiting and onboarding processes also need to be adapted.

Companies should also review their employment contracts and amend them if necessary. Even though it is now possible to conclude contracts digitally, many formal requirements remain in place, such as for fixed-term contracts or terminations.

Conclusion

The reform of the Verification Act is an overdue step towards a more digital working world. It removes one of the last hurdles to end-to-end digital processes in HR.

For start-ups, agencies and companies in the digital economy in particular, there are enormous opportunities to streamline processes and stand out from the competition. With the right preparation and advice, nothing stands in the way of the digital future of the employment contract.

Marian Härtel
Author: Marian Härtel

Marian Härtel ist Rechtsanwalt und Fachanwalt für IT-Recht mit einer über 25-jährigen Erfahrung als Unternehmer und Berater in den Bereichen Games, E-Sport, Blockchain, SaaS und Künstliche Intelligenz. Seine Beratungsschwerpunkte umfassen neben dem IT-Recht insbesondere das Urheberrecht, Medienrecht sowie Wettbewerbsrecht. Er betreut schwerpunktmäßig Start-ups, Agenturen und Influencer, die er in strategischen Fragen, komplexen Vertragsangelegenheiten sowie bei Investitionsprojekten begleitet. Dabei zeichnet sich seine Beratung durch einen interdisziplinären Ansatz aus, der juristische Expertise und langjährige unternehmerische Erfahrung miteinander verbindet. Ziel seiner Tätigkeit ist stets, Mandanten praxisorientierte Lösungen anzubieten und rechtlich fundierte Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung innovativer Geschäftsmodelle zu gewährleisten.

Tags: AgenturenBeratungCompetitiondigitalE‑mailEmployeesFreelancerInfluencerLabour lawMailReformStartupsVerträgeWorkersWritten form

Weitere spannende Blogposts

Home office: going to the toilet not an occupational accident

Twitter account needs approval of works council
7. November 2022

Especially in IT law or marketing agencies and similar companies, home office is quite popular. But until something like a...

Read moreDetails

Extended analysis of the ECJ ruling on the GDPR and its impact

Extended analysis of the ECJ ruling on the GDPR and its impact
12. December 2023

In an earlier post on my blog itmedialaw.com, I already briefly addressed the important ruling of the ECJ of December...

Read moreDetails

Streamer and Marketing: Warning Trap?

Brief reminder: Influencer as target of warning letters
30. November 2018

What is it all about? There is also a great competition between streamers and influencers. Twitch channels are now en...

Read moreDetails

Defend yourself against IGD warnings?

LG Munich: Data protection consent on dating platform
7. November 2022

Actually, the behaviors when you receive a warning under competition law are always the same. A summary can be found...

Read moreDetails

Caution when forwarding business e-mails to private addresses

District Court Frankfurt a.M. on the right to be forgotten
24. September 2024

The Munich Higher Regional Court clarified in its ruling of 31.07.2024 under file number 7 U 351/23 that forwarding work...

Read moreDetails

When is the contract concluded in the online store or with SaaS services

2b14342543cc4e965f96a23212cffb88
26. June 2024

The time of the conclusion of the contract in online stores and for SaaS services is for providers of largehe...

Read moreDetails

Claiming damages without risk using Legaltech in data protection law?

Claiming damages without risk using Legaltech in data protection law?
7. November 2022

I recently reported in this article that a data leak can be quite expensive if the injured party decides to...

Read moreDetails

Defamation via Whatsapp justifies termination without notice

Employer may not force home office
7. November 2022

The topic of WhatsApp and the legal consequences of careless messages has often been a topic here on the blog....

Read moreDetails

“More than just a game” in Frankfurt

7. November 2022

Tomorrow, a symposium for lawyers focusing on computer games and digital media will be held in Frankfurt. I will also...

Read moreDetails
Eigentum an Software – Wem gehört eigentlich der Code?
Copyright

Eigentum an Software – Wem gehört eigentlich der Code?

14. July 2025

Während ich an meinem eigenen WordPress-Plugin code, taucht immer wieder eine Frage auf: Gehört mir diese Software wirklich? Im Alltagsverständnis...

Read moreDetails
Startup ohne Entwickler?

Startup ohne Entwickler?

8. July 2025
Keine stillschweigende AGB-Änderung – Schweigen gilt nicht als Zustimnung

Keine stillschweigende AGB-Änderung – Schweigen gilt nicht als Zustimnung

7. July 2025
So langsam nimmt der Shop Form an

So langsam nimmt der Shop Form an

3. July 2025
Dark Patterns: UX-Tricks im Visier von Gesetzgeber und Gerichten

Dark Patterns: UX-Tricks im Visier von Gesetzgeber und Gerichten

2. July 2025

Podcastfolge

Juristische Trends für Startups 2025: Chancen und Herausforderungen

Juristische Trends für Startups 2025: Chancen und Herausforderungen

19. April 2025

In dieser Episode beleuchten wir die rechtlichen Entwicklungen, die das Startup-Umfeld 2025 prägen werden. Von der KI-Regulierung über neue Kryptowährungsrichtlinien...

Read moreDetails
Legal challenges when implementing confidential computing: data protection and encryption in the cloud

Smart Contracts und Blockchain

22. December 2024
Influencer und Gaming: Rechtliche Herausforderungen in der digitalen Unterhaltungswelt

Influencer und Gaming: Rechtliche Herausforderungen in der digitalen Unterhaltungswelt

25. September 2024
Der IT Media Law Podcast. Folge Nr. 1: Worum geht es hier eigentlich?

Der IT Media Law Podcast. Folge Nr. 1: Worum geht es hier eigentlich?

26. August 2024
Die Rolle des IT-Rechtsanwalts

Die Rolle des IT-Rechtsanwalts

5. September 2024

Video

Mein transparente Abrechnung

Mein transparente Abrechnung

10. February 2025

In diesem Video rede ich ein wenig über transparente Abrechnung und wie ich kommuniziere, was es kostet, wenn man mit...

Read moreDetails
Faszination zwischen und Recht und Technologie

Faszination zwischen und Recht und Technologie

10. February 2025
Meine zwei größten Herausforderungen sind?

Meine zwei größten Herausforderungen sind?

10. February 2025
Was mich wirklich freut

Was mich wirklich freut

10. February 2025
Was ich an meinem Job liebe!

Was ich an meinem Job liebe!

10. February 2025
  • Privacy policy
  • Imprint
  • Contact
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
Marian Härtel, Rathenaustr. 58a, 14612 Falkensee, info@itmedialaw.com

Marian Härtel - Rechtsanwalt für IT-Recht, Medienrecht und Startups, mit einem Fokus auf innovative Geschäftsmodelle, Games, KI und Finanzierungsberatung.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
Kostenlose Kurzberatung