Law & occupational safety
What fines apply for missing occupational safety in home offices?
Breaches of a regulation under the German Occupational Safety Act can be fined up to EUR 5,000 as an administrative offence under section 25(1) ArbSchG. Where committed intentionally and endangering another person's life or health, a fine of up to EUR 30,000 can be imposed under section 25(2).
In practice cases rarely involve dramatic incidents; they involve missing risk assessments, missing instruction and missing documentation. Depending on the case, further consequences are possible beyond fines, such as liability claims after a workplace accident or orders from the competent authority.
The effort to be safe is manageable: risk assessment, instruction, suitable equipment and a traceable archive cover the core.
Key points
- Up to EUR 5,000 administrative offence, up to EUR 30,000 where people are endangered (section 25 ArbSchG)
- Typical gaps: no assessment, no instruction, no records
Sources
This page provides professional orientation, not legal or tax advice.
More answers
- What is the difference between home office, telework and mobile work?
- Is a risk assessment mandatory for home office work?
- Is an accident in the home office a workplace accident?
- Do employees in Germany have a right to work from home?
- Does the works council co-determine remote work?
- Must working time be recorded when working from home?