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Anja Becher

Counsel || Berlin

Employment Law, Cross-Border

Anja Becher is counsel in Ogletree Deakins’ Berlin office. She advises national and international clients on all aspects of German individual and collective employment law as well as assists clients with ongoing daily business issues (i.e. drafting employment agreements, agreements for executive and managing directors and company agreements). Furthermore she is specialized in company pension law and matters regarding compliance under employment law. She litigates before all German courts.

Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins in February 2016, Anja worked for six years as an employment law attorney of SammlerUsinger Rechtsanwälte in Leipzig and  Berlin. Additionally, she completed a Secondment at the legal department of ArcelorMittal Legal Europe (2013-2014).

Anja speaks English proficiently.

Employment Law, Cross-Border
Learn more about Anja Becher

Education

Admittance to Practice

Professional Activities

  • Bar Association Berlin (German)
  • Tutor for employment law, refreshing course for law students (2008 – 2010)
  • German Women Lawyers Association (djb, Deutscher Juristinnen Bund)

Speeches

Insights by Anja Becher

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German Federal Labor Court: Employers May No Longer Cite ‘Better Negotiating Skills’ as an Argument for Unequal Pay

A recent decision of the German Federal Labor Court considerably restricts the objective, gender-neutral criteria that can justify different pay for the same work or equal work. Negotiating skills are now ruled out as a justification for a higher salary. However, differences in qualifications or professional experience continue to be recognized as objective criteria that may justify a compensation differential.

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German Works Council Election Procedures: Changes to Upcoming Elections in 2022

On October 15, 2021, amendments to the Election Regulations for the Implementation of the Works Constitution Act (Wahlordnung or WO) went into effect. As a result, the changes in the Works Council Modernization Act (Betriebsrätemodernisierungsgesetz) of June 18, 2021, have been implemented in the Election Regulations.

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German Court Rules Occupational Accidents at Home May Be Covered by Statutory Accident Insurance

In the past, Germany’s Federal Social Court (Bundessozialgericht or BSG) has been reluctant to classify employee accidents that employees sustain in their homes as occupational accidents covered by the statutory accident insurance. A decision of the Federal Social Court on December 8, 2021 (file no. B 2 U 4/21) clarified that the initial journey from bed to a home office constitutes an occupational accident and thus is considered covered by the statutory accident insurance.

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German Federal Labor Court States Employers Must Provide Employees With Work Equipment

On November 10, 2021, Germany’s Federal Labor Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht) ruled (Case No. 5 AZR 334/21) that employers must provide employed bicycle couriers with all the equipment essential for the performance of their work, including bicycles and internet-enabled smartphones. Alternatively, an appropriate financial compensation for the use of a delivery person’s own bicycle and mobile phone may be agreed upon in the employment contract, the court ruled.

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