People

Jan-Ove Becker

Partner

Attorney

Hamburg

Becker

Jan-Ove Becker is partner at Littler in Hamburg. He primarily advises international companies from the technology and media sectors, and is considered to be a fast and solution-oriented consultant who places great importance on providing a good level of service. The enthusiastic Ironman triathlete sees himself as a management consultant, and therefore always keeps an eye on economic impacts. His focus is on restructuring, which includes post-merger integration, co-determination rights and works constitution law.

Languages: German, English

Focal Points

  • International employment law

  • Co-determination rights and collective bargaining law

  • Restructuring

  • Data protection under employment law

  • Transaction plans

  • Works Council Constitution Law

Career

  • Attorney at GRIEBE Rechtsanwälte law firm

  • Admitted to the bar as an attorney, 2012

  • Research associate with Taylor Wessing (employment law section)

  • Research associate with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (employment pension benefits)

  • Internship in Hamburg, Berlin and New York, among other work assignments with the HR department of the Gruner & Jahr publishing company and at the leading US law firm Paul Hastings LLP.

  • Editor of the journal KTS – Zeitschrift für Insolvenzrecht (pub. Wolters Kluwer)

Education

  • Studied law at the University of Hamburg with a focus on employment law

  • Completed internship with the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg, concentrating on employment law, with postings to Hamburg, Berlin and New York

Publications

  • Co-Author, EU Chapter, The Littler International Guide

  • Co-Author, Germany Chapter, The Littler International Guide

Jan-Ove Becker is one of the rising stars in employment law nationwide.

Juve, 2020–2023

pleasant negotiator

Competitor about Jan-Ove Becker, Juve 2022–2023

We value Jan-Ove's innovative approach to employment law and corporate reorganization.

BTI Client Service All-Stars, 2022

Jan-Ove Becker is one of the »Best Lawyers in Germany« in the area of employment law

Handelsblatt/Best Lawyers, 2020–2023

hands-on & communicative

Competitor about Jan-Ove Becker, Juve 2020/2021

Jan-Ove Becker is regarded as »fast and solution-focused

Legal 500, 2018

Jan-Ove Becker is President of the Labour Law Commission at the International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA).

Jan-Ove Becker is a member of the German-American Lawyers Association (DAJV), the employment law working group of the German Bar Association and numerous other national lawyers' associations.

Articles and entries

Blogpost

BMAS: Surprising regulations in the draft bill on working time recording

April 2023

  • Jan-Ove Becker
  • Dr. Sabine Vianden
At last, the long-awaited first draft bill on the statutory implementation of the obligation to record working hours has become known. Among other things, the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs envisages a duty to record working hours electronically. A considerable number of amendments are still to be expected before it comes into force. Nevertheless, the draft bill gives an indication of where the journey could lead.
Blogpost

German Federal Labor Court on Equal Pay: Negotiating Skills Are no Justification for Unequal Pay

February 2023

  • Dr. Sabine Vianden
  • Jan-Ove Becker
One of the reasons for the different remuneration of men and women for the same work and work of equal value is often different negotiating skills. The Federal Labor Court has now rejected this justification regularly cited by employers. Employees of the opposite sex who are supposedly weaker in negotiations are entitled to an "upward adjustment" and compensation.
Blogpost

Update: Business and Human Rights also for small companies

January 2023

  • Dr. Sabine Vianden
  • Jan-Ove Becker
The new German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act imposes new obligations on larger companies, which must, among other things, check their entire supply chain for violations of human rights and environmental concerns. However, companies that are not (yet) directly covered by the scope of application - in particular suppliers - are also indirectly affected, so that they are subject to comparable obligations. We provide an overview of the relevant topics and how suppliers can prepare themselves.
Blogpost

Federal Labor Court on the Game's Rules for Recording Working Time in Germany

December 2022

  • Jan-Ove Becker
  • Dr. Sabine Vianden
After almost three months, the BAG has now published the reasons for its decision on its "Working Time Decision". The guidelines for recording working time are clarified in it, and employers can be somewhat better prepared for what needs to be done. However, employers are left alone with detailed questions. There is still no outlook on statutory changes from the legislator.
Blogpost

BAG sees comprehensive obligation to record working hours

September 2022

  • Jan-Ove Becker
  • Dr. Sabine Vianden
An employer goes to the BAG with a question about a right of initiative of her works council and gets a comprehensive time recording for Germany.
Blogpost

BAG on the burden of proof for overtime pay

May 2022

  • Jan-Ove Becker
  • Dr. Sabine Vianden
Following the ECJ's working time ruling in 2019, the BAG has addressed the question of whether employers are obliged to record working time (contrary to the German legal situation).
Blogpost

The EC's proposals on digital work platforms

January 2022

  • Jan-Ove Becker
On 09.12.2021, the European Commission proposed a whole range of measures to better protect people working via digital labor platforms across Europe.
Blogpost

Plans for mobile working

January 2022

  • Dr. Sabine Vianden
  • Jan-Ove Becker
Now that the draft for a Mobile Work Act has been on ice for a whole year, the old and new Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD) wants to put the draft back on the agenda.
Blogpost

Supply Chain Act - Business and Human Rights

March 2021

  • Jan-Ove Becker
  • Pia Scheer
In the future, companies will have to pay close attention to humane working conditions in their supply chains, otherwise they could face drastic fines. Even stricter EU rules could follow.