Internet usage

If you use the Internet for private purposes during working hours, this may result in a Termination by your employer. The Federal Labor Court ruled, for example, that

• use contrary to an express prohibition by the employer
• failure to perform the work owed under the employment contract while "surfing" the Internet for private purposes
• by downloading significant amounts of data from the Internet to company data systems (unauthorized download)
• the additional costs arising from private use Costs
• causing damage to the employer's reputation by downloading criminal or pornographic images

important reasons for a extraordinary termination can constitute a violation of the law. This applies all the more if the employee acts contrary to an express prohibition of use by the employer (BAG, judgment of July 7, 2005 - 2 AZR 581/04).