Focal Points
Works Constitution Law
Advising US companies
Dr. Sabine Vianden is a lawyer at Littler in Hamburg. She specializes in works constitution law, anti-discrimination law and advising international clients, especially US companies. Here, she brings her penchant for foreign languages and other work cultures to bear. In her solution-oriented and practical advice, Sabine Vianden attaches great importance to open communication. For her clients, she does not want to be just a service provider, but works as part of the team for the common cause.
Languages: German, English
Career
Research assistant at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn 2016-2019
Education
Second state law examination, Cologne Higher Regional Court, 2021
Doctorate, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 2019
First State Examination in Law, OLG Cologne and Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 2016
Publications
Co-Author, EU Chapter, The Littler International Guide
Articles and entries
Blogpost
EU Parliament votes in favor of the European Supply Chain Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
April 2024
- Dr. Sabine Vianden
The European Supply Chain Directive (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) finally received the green light from the EU Parliament. The directive will require amendments to the German Supply Chain Act. This paves the way for stricter liability for breaches of ESG requirements. We summarize the key points.
Blogpost
Roll reverse for the CSDDD - the European Supply Chain Directive is coming after all, isn't it?
March 2024
- Dr. Sabine Vianden
- Lars Kussmann
The European Supply Chain Directive (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive - CSDDD) reached a significant milestone last Friday, as EU member states, after a lengthy back-and-forth, agreed on a compromise in the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER). We will summarize the expected impacts on the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) and business practices for you in our blog.
Blogpost
Position paper of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency: what could the reform of the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) look like?
September 2023
- Dr. Sabine Vianden
The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency has presented a position paper for a possible reform. Some of the proposals it contains are very far-reaching. Here we present the most important points from an employment law perspective and their potential impact on employers.
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
Cryptocurrency as a compensation component - part 2
September 2022
- Julia Viohl
- Dr. Sabine Vianden
- Maria Maria Rutmann
Is cryptocurrency suitable as a compensation component? Can Bitcoin, Ethereum and Co. replace conventional pay? And how should such a form of compensation be treated for tax purposes? We explore these and other questions in our second part of the blog post in cooperation with ba-Group.
Blogpost
Cryptocurrency as a compensation component
September 2022
- Julia Viohl
- Dr. Sabine Vianden
- Maria Maria Rutmann
Is cryptocurrency suitable as a compensation component? Can Bitcoin, Ethereum and Co. replace conventional pay? And how should such a form of compensation be treated for tax purposes? We explore these and other questions in our two-part blog post in cooperation with ba-Group.
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
German Federal Cabinet approves bill to increase the minimum wage
February 2022
- Dr. Sabine Vianden
- Andre Andre Gieseler
The federal cabinet has given the green light to a key SPD election promise. From October 1, 2022, the minimum wage is to be €12.00.
Blogpost
Trusted leave put to the test
January 2022
- Dr. Sabine Vianden
- Maria Maria Rutmann
The pandemic will have permanently changed the world of work. Employers should take account of the need for "more flexibility in working life" - e.g. in the form of confidential leave.
Blogpost
Company route in the home office
January 2022
- Dr. Sabine Vianden
According to the Federal Social Court, the question of when the route between the bed and the home workplace is an insured company route depends above all on the employee's inner direction of will.
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
EU Directive Proposal on Remuneration Transparency Act
July 2021
- Dr. Sabine Vianden
The Pay Transparency Act has not played a major role in the day-to-day work of companies to date. A proposed EU directive could change that - in some cases with stricter requirements than before.