Working hours, vacation entitlements and notice periods are many central framework conditions of an employment relationship that are not individually negotiated but regulated by collective agreements. This provides structure, comparability and legal certainty, particularly in industries that are bound by collective agreements, such as construction, building cleaning or gardening and landscaping.
But what exactly is a framework collective agreement? What content does it regulate and how does it differ from other collective agreements? This article gives you a compact overview and explains why it is worthwhile for companies not only to be aware of such regulations, but also to manage them digitally.
A framework collective agreement is a special form of collective agreement that lays down basic working conditions for a specific industry or occupational group. It is concluded between employers' associations and trade unions and is usually valid for several years.
The focus is not on specific wages, but on overarching regulations, such as working hours, vacation, notice periods, bonuses or classification in collective bargaining groups. The framework collective agreement thus forms the basis for individual employment relationships and also serves as a legal framework for supplementary collective agreements, for example on wage levels.
This form of collective agreement creates uniform standards in the industry, provides clarity on labor law issues and offers reliable guidance to all parties involved, especially in HR practice.
Framework collective agreements create a clear basis for working conditions that both sides can rely on. Defined rules on working hours, vacation and notice periods create transparent structures that provide legal certainty and avoid misunderstandings.
For companies, this means above all reliable planning. Labor costs can be better calculated and personnel decisions are based on stable guidelines. At the same time, employees benefit from clearly defined rights without having to negotiate everything on a case-by-case basis.
Last but not least, framework collective agreements ensure fair competitive conditions in the industry. Uniform standards prevent arbitrary differences and ensure fairer treatment of all employees
In practice, there is no significant difference between a framework collective agreement and a general collective agreement. Both terms refer to the same type of collective agreement that regulates the basic conditions of the employment relationship, including working hours, vacation entitlements and notice periods.
The term Manteltarifvertrag (MTV) is more commonly used in German employment law, while Rahmentarifvertrag is often used to emphasize the framework nature of the agreement.
Framework collective agreements define what applies uniformly across the industry in everyday working life, from the scope of working hours to regulations on sickness or further training. These agreements are not about specific wage levels, but about structural conditions that are binding for all employees.
Typical contents include specifications on weekly working hours, breaks and various working time models such as shift work or flexitime. Vacation entitlement is also usually clearly regulated and is often supplemented by special leave for special events.
Many contracts also contain provisions on probationary periods, fixed-term employment contracts, the place of work and bonuses for working at night or on public holidays. Other topics such as occupational health and safety, additional company benefits or professional qualifications are also regularly included.
The actual remuneration, on the other hand, is regulated in separate wage or salary agreements . Overall, the framework collective agreement ensures reliable structures, especially in larger companies with several locations or a complex organization.
How long employees work, when breaks are due or which deadlines apply in the event of termination can all be specifically regulated in a framework collective agreement. The agreements can vary from sector to sector.
Both fixed and flexible working time models are possible, for example flexitime, shift work or annual working hours. Regulations on overtime, its remuneration or rest periods can also be included.
Leave is not always limited to the statutory minimum. Some collective agreements provide for additional vacation days or special leave for certain occasions such as weddings or births.
The notice periods in the framework collective agreement are often based on the length of service. There may also be special regulations for the probationary period or for cases with extended protection against dismissal. Above all, such agreements offer clarity for both sides.
The specific remuneration is generally not part of this agreement. Instead, details on wage levels, salary groups or training allowances are regulated in separate collective wage or salary agreements.
However, the framework collective agreement may include surcharges for certain working hours or special conditions. These include, for example, supplements for night work, weekend or public holiday work and shift work. These supplements apply in addition to the regular remuneration and relate to the actual work performed under defined circumstances.
A framework collective agreement is not absolutely necessary in order to run a company in a legally correct manner. Companies are only bound by collective agreements if they belong to an employers' association or have concluded a collective agreement themselves.
In the absence of such a commitment, the general statutory regulations apply - for example the Working Hours Act, the Federal Leave Act or the Protection against Dismissal Act. These are supplemented by individual employment contracts and any existing works agreements.
As soon as a company is bound by a collective agreement, the collective agreement regulations are fully valid. This means that both employers and employees are bound by the standards agreed therein. Employers must comply with the collectively agreed working hours, vacation entitlements, bonuses and notice periods. They are also responsible for providing a safe workplace, ensuring equal treatment and making the contents of the collective agreement accessible in the company.
Employees are also subject to certain obligations. They must perform their contractually agreed work and adhere to the collective bargaining framework. There are also additional obligations such as confidentiality, safeguarding company interests and refusing to accept benefits.
At the same time, employees benefit from the rights that the collective agreement guarantees them, such as vacation, protection against dismissal and discrimination. They are also free to organize themselves into a trade union and to participate in works council elections if they meet the relevant requirements.
The trade union is the most important point of contact for employees when it comes to negotiating collective working conditions. It negotiates the framework collective agreement with the respective employers' association or individual companies and represents the interests of the workforce. These are collected in advance in collective bargaining committees, discussed and democratically decided by the members.
The union remains active after the agreement has been reached. It ensures that the agreed content is implemented in the company, supports employees with questions or conflicts and can also call for industrial action such as a strike in the event of violations. In such cases, unionized members receive strike pay.
In addition, the trade union ensures that working conditions can be regulated independently and without state interference within the framework of collective bargaining autonomy. It is therefore not only the voice of the employees, but also the guarantor of fair and reliable framework conditions, as set out in the framework collective agreement.
Framework collective agreements are used in many areas of the German economy. They provide orientation for central working conditions and take into account the specific characteristics of individual sectors. Whether industry, trade or the public sector, the content can differ significantly depending on the field of activity. Below you will find examples of how the framework collective agreement is structured in different sectors of the economy.
Particularly clear rules apply in the building cleaning sector, especially because this industry is characterized by night shifts, physical strain and safety requirements. The framework collective agreement for commercial cleaning sets binding standards for all commercial employees and applies nationwide to companies that primarily provide cleaning services.
Among other things, it regulates working time models, breaks, bonuses for night work, work on Sundays and public holidays as well as compensation for overtime. There are nine pay grades, depending on the job and qualifications.
Particular attention is paid to occupational health and safety, such as the use of cleaning chemicals, as well as the clear allocation of collectively agreed activities. The specific remuneration is regulated in a separate collective wage agreement.
Compliance with the collectively agreed regulations is regularly checked by the Financial Control of Undeclared Work - an important contribution to ensuring fair working conditions in a physically demanding and often underestimated industry.
Hardly any other industry is characterized by weather conditions, physical strain and changing work locations as much as the construction industry. The Federal Framework Agreement for the Construction Industry forms the basis for fair and transparent working conditions on construction sites throughout Germany.
Among other things, it regulates the start and end of working hours directly on the construction site, surcharges for difficult conditions such as working at heights or chimney construction as well as special features such as bad weather or seasonal regulations. It also includes vacation entitlements, notice periods and occupational safety requirements.
Remuneration is based on separate collective wage agreements, supplemented by a construction surcharge for special workloads. Regulations on travel costs, meals and accommodation in the event of external employment secure additional entitlements. In many cases, the contract is generally binding and is also monitored by the Financial Control of Undeclared Work.
Gardening and landscaping (GaLaBau) has its own requirements, from seasonal fluctuations to diverse outdoor work sites. The framework collective agreement in landscaping creates a clear framework for this and has been generally binding since 2007.
Among other things, it specifies the weekly and annual working hours, regulates supplements for night and public holiday work as well as vacation entitlements, which usually exceed the statutory minimum. It also contains provisions on continued payment of wages in the event of illness, notice periods and accommodation in the event of external employment.
The agreement is also of particular importance with regard to the distinction from the construction industry. This is because companies that are not clearly assigned to GaLaBau risk reclaiming social security contributions. The clear definition of wage groups and areas of responsibility helps to ensure this demarcation.
Termination in connection with a framework collective agreement can mean two things: termination of the collective agreement itself or termination of an employment relationship based on this agreement.
1. termination of the collective agreement:
A framework collective agreement can only be terminated by the parties to the collective agreement - i.e. the trade union and the employers' association. Notice of termination must be given in writing and comply with the contractually stipulated notice period. In the absence of a specific provision, a notice period of three months usually applies in practice. In building cleaning, the notice period is often six months to the end of the quarter. After expiry, the contract expires, but continues to apply in accordance with Section 4 (5) of the Collective Agreement Act until new regulations take effect.
2. termination of an employment relationship:
Employers and employees can terminate the employment relationship in compliance with the notice periods stipulated in the collective agreement. These are usually based on the length of service and increase gradually. Special regulations apply in individual sectors, such as protection against dismissal during bad weather in the construction industry. Here too, the written form is mandatory.
Framework collective agreements provide the framework for fair and uniform working conditions. They create clear structures, protect employees from arbitrary decisions and make it easier for companies to implement legally compliant and comprehensible processes. Especially with growing documentation and different regulations, it is worth keeping an overview. Digital contract management software such as ContractHero can help to manage collective agreements centrally, keep an eye on deadlines and make all relevant content reliably accessible to enable transparent and efficient work organization.
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