Focal Points
International employment law
Co-determination rights and collective bargaining law
Restructuring
Data protection under employment law
Transaction plans
Works Council Constitution Law
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
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
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.