Frequently asked questions

Before the leave of absence

What happens if you leave Fresenius due to incapacity?

If you leave the company due to incapacity, you will receive a payout of the total credit balance (incl. tariff modules). Please note that this amount is subject to tax and social security contributions.

What happens if you change job?

If you leave Fresenius and haven't yet used your Compensatory Time Account for a leave of absence, you will not lose your credit balance from own contributions. It can either be transferred to a new employer, into your statutory pension fund or paid out to you directly. Tariff modules become decay in the event that you leave Fresenius through dismissal.

What happens if you change from a tariff to a non-tariff employment relationship (and vice versa)?

In the event of a change from a collective-agreement employment relationship to a non-tariff employment relationship, any previously saved value credit (own contributions and tariff module) is retained. In the event of a change from a non-tariff employment relationship to a tariff employment relationship, any previously saved value credit (own contributions) is retained.

What happens if you change from a non-tariff to a managerial employment relationship (and vice versa)?

In the event of a change from a non-tariff to a managerial employment relationship (and vice versa), a previously saved value credit is retained. In both cases, the following applies: the accrued value credit can continue to be saved after the change and can be used for a leave of absence. It should be noted that this is then done exclusively according to the rules of the agreement under which you are covered after the transfer. If you are a managerial employee, this is the " Langzeitkonten für leitende Angestellte" spokesman committee agreement; if you are not covered by collective bargaining agreements, this is the "Gesamtbetriebsvereinbarung Langzeitkonto".

What happens if you die?

In the event of death, your heirs will receive a payout of the credit balance (incl. tariff modules). Please note that this amount is subject to tax and social security contributions.

What happens if you retire and haven’t yet used up your Compensatory Time Account?

In this case, the existing balance (incl. tariff modules) will be paid out to you in full.

What are the deadlines for a leave of absence?

Tariff and non-tariff employees need to submit a request 6 weeks in advance for a leave of absence for professional development and as part of early retirement, lasting up to 3 months; or at least 6 months in advance for an extended leave of absence. For a break, you should submit a request 6 months in advance, plus allow additional 6 weeks for employer processing.

Executive staff should submit a request 9 months in advance for a break. In the case of a leave of absence for early retirement, executive staff should speak to their manager or the HR department at least 24 months in advance and submit the request 6 months before the leave of absence at the latest.

A leave of absence for care can be requested at short notice.

You can use the calculator to check the earliest possible start date for your leave of absence.

Can a leave of absence request also be rejected?

For a leave of absence to be authorised, it must in principal be approved by the manager. The request may be rejected after consideration of resources and projects, but this must be justified in writing.

What tax and social security considerations do I need to take into account?

Tariff modules as well as your own contributions are exempt from tax and social security when paid in. Please note that paying in own contributions may decrease your gross income. This may reduce any entitlement to benefits from statutory unemployment and pension insurance, for example.

Do the regulations described apply for all Fresenius companies?

Some special regulations apply for Vivonic GmbH and Fresenius Kabi Logistik GmbH. You can find these here.

Which special regulations apply for some companies with regard to contribution options?

At the Friedberg, Neufahrn, Schweinfurt and St. Wendel locations there are additional contribution options. Conversion requests here may have different submission deadlines.

During the leave of absence

What happens if you fall ill while you are on leave of absence?

Illness does not interrupt leave of absence for early retirement. The agreed end of your leave of absence is not affected. Leave of absence for a break, care or professional development is interrupted by illness. For this purpose, a medical certificate is required. The leave of absence ends on the day before the inability to work is determined and is resumed on the day of the ability to work. The agreed end of your leave of absence is not affected.

What happens if you fall ill before the start of your leave of absence?

Your leave of absence begins on the first day of your ability to work. The agreed end of your leave of absence is not affected. If you fall ill for the entire duration of the agreed leave of absence, the leave of absence will not apply. In the case of leave of absence for early retirement, the employment contract will nevertheless end as planned at the end of the leave of absence. The existing credit balance of the Compensatory Time Account will be paid out to you.

Can you still convert salary for retirement while you are on leave of absence?

Your previous salary conversion will continue unchanged, provided that the salary is also paid during your leave of absence. You are responsible for making any changes or for terminating conversion.

Can you still convert salary to the Compensatory Time Account while you are on leave of absence?

If you take a leave of absence for early retirement, conversion to credit your Compensatory Time Account will be suspended when you apply for leave of absence. In the event of leave of absence for a break, care or professional development, conversion to the Compensatory Time Account is suspended during the months of the leave of absence.

Do you take part in the salary review during leave of absence?

The agreed leave of absence salary does not change during leave of absence. For tariff employees, there will be no wage reviews during this time and nor will any wage increases be implemented. In the case of leave of absence for a break, professional development or care, wage or pay-scale increases will be implemented following the leave of absence. The same applies to non-tariff employees and executive staff with regard to salary review.

Can you continue to use your company car during leave of absence for care, break or professional development?

Please speak to your HR department or manager about this.

What tax and social security considerations do I need to take into account while on leave of absence?

Salary payments during a leave of absence are subject to tax and social security contributions.