February 27, 2025
Workers' Rights
On February 12, the new interactive discussion series „Let’s Talk About Law“ took place for the first time in Karlsruhe—we look back
You realize this as you listen: Inken Gallner is passionate about labor law! She quickly makes it clear that Labor Law in Germany is, first and foremost, a labor law. Its primary function is to grant workers rights within the hierarchical relationship with employers, who are often in a stronger economic position. The goal, therefore, is to establish a relationship of equals.
Inken Gallner repeatedly emphasizes how important the Cooperation Among Social Partners, that is, the Unions on the one hand, and the Employers' Associations on the other hand, are. In particular, the Workplace Governance Law It would play a prominent role in Germany that is unique in Europe in this form.
Inken Gallner explains very persuasively that employee participation is an important part of putting Democracy That is: When people feel that their voice is being heard at work, they gain confidence in the way things work social participation and can overcome feelings of helplessness.
Marie-Elisabeth Miersch She repeatedly engages the audience in the foundation’s well-attended event hall. Using voting cards, she gauges the mood and asks the audience, for example, about how truthful they perceive widely circulated Myths About Labor Law: Can my boss fire me if I can’t or don’t want to work overtime? Inken Gallner responds, as lawyers so often do, with a touch of irony and a smile: „It depends,“ and explains under which employment contracts refusing to work overtime can actually be grounds for termination.
Firm on the issues, but approachable in tone
When you hear Inken Gallner speak, it’s easy to imagine her mediating between disputing parties and helping to find solutions that all parties involved consider fair.
Another thing that becomes clear that evening is that Inken Gallner is a staunch European and embodies that in her day-to-day work. Europe and cooperation with European institutions such as the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights play an important role in labor law. Gallner sees many opportunities in this—especially given that both courts, in addition to the Federal Constitutional Court play an important role in the further development of German labor law. Their decisions provide guidance and help ensure that labor law is in line with European and human rights standards. In times like these, for example, when we look at the United States, we can see how important it is for the „checks and balances“ system to function properly and a strong, independent judiciary to protect democracy be.
In the ensuing discussion with the audience, Gallner addresses, among other things, questions regarding bogus self-employment and fixed-term employment contracts without objective justification.
At the end of the entertaining evening, Marie-Elisabeth Miersch thanked Inken Gallner for the conversation and the insights, and bid farewell to the Karlsruhe audience with the words: „Have a wonderful evening, everyone, and don’t overwork yourselves when you’re working!“
Let's Talk About Law: Here's What's Next!
All the information about the upcoming dates and guests for the discussion series can be found on the event page.