should an employer react when an employee dies? This article
summarises what employers in Germany should do and what guidance
employment law provides in this difficult situation.
Irrespective of any legal assessment, it is important to note
that the death of an employee is always also a very tragic event
that causes lasting shock to the surviving dependants, but also to
the workforce. An employer can communicate condolences by sending a
letter of condolence to the employee’s relatives, possibly
jointly with the employee’s coworkers. It could also choose
to commission a death notice for the employee, if this is
appropriate.
Continued payment of salary
If an employee dies, his or her agreed pay is generally only
payable up to the time of death, as the employment relationship
ends automatically on death. However, it will often be the case
that a collective bargaining agreement, a works agreement or the
individual employment contract in question contains a
