Abolish maximum transfer period: A demand by the GVP

The German Association of Personnel Service Providers (GVP) is calling for the abolition or at least a significant extension of the maximum duration of temporary employment. The German government’s Temporary Employment Act has shown that the regulation does not lead to an increased takeover of temporary workers. It creates uncertainty and makes it more difficult for companies and employees to work together in the long term.

The maximum duration of temporary employment is currently 18 months. This means that a temporary worker may not work for the same company for longer than 18 consecutive months. Only after an interruption of more than three months is renewed employment with the same company possible. Anyone who exceeds the maximum assignment period can expect to pay a heavy fine.

In addition, an analysis by the Federal Employment Agency shows that at least 20% of the decline in employment in the temporary employment sector since 2017 – corresponding to at least 60,000 jobs – can be attributed to the introduction of the maximum assignment period.

The rigid limit of 18 months disadvantages precisely those who should actually be protected: the temporary workers. In practice, it has been shown that the regulation does not lead to more temporary workers being taken on by their assignment companies. Instead, it makes it more difficult for many employees to remain in a well-established and stable working environment.

The abolition or a significant extension of the maximum assignment period would benefit both personnel service providers and employees. Most of our temporary workers would prefer to stay with the company even after 18 months. Many of them value the stability and familiar working environment they have built up. An extension or abolition would allow them to stay with the team and deepen their skills. For us, this is an opportunity to strengthen our role as a strategic partner for companies. We could respond more flexibly to the skills market and offer employees longer-term prospects.

We support the GVP’s “Temporary work: good for the economy” campaign because we want to play an active role in shaping the future!