Mandatory COVID-19 testing for businesses demanded by trade unions' divisions
In Berlin, Germany, there are no current legal requirements for companies to mandate COVID-19 testing for their employees, according to the latest regulations. This information comes as Uwe Schummer, chairman of the CDU and CSU parliamentary group, has emphasised the importance of clear communication regarding COVID-19 measures in the workplace.
During the height of the pandemic, Germany had various workplace-related rules, but the general regulatory framework has since relaxed. While previous mandatory testing and vaccine mandates applied to specific sectors such as healthcare workers and vulnerable populations, these have been phased out or restricted over time.
At present, testing programs are mostly voluntary, risk-group focused, and no longer free for the general public after March 2023. Employer-based testing mandates likely exist only in very limited healthcare or high-risk settings, not broadly across companies.
Schummer has highlighted the need for companies to use email to inform employees about the availability of home office. He believes that email is an efficient means to communicate the option of home office to employees, and a useful tool for ensuring compliance with legal obligations related to COVID-19 measures in the workplace.
Schummer has also called for companies to offer home office as a mandatory option, at least for a few days a week. He believes that testing in companies should become a legal obligation while the pandemic is ongoing, and has advocated for a mandatory requirement for companies to provide employees with COVID-19 tests via email.
The German labor wing of the Union has echoed Schummer's sentiments, also advocating for a mandatory requirement for companies to provide employees with COVID-19 tests. Schummer's statements underscore the importance of using email to communicate COVID-19 measures to both companies and employees.
However, Schummer has also pointed out that there are exceptions where companies do not follow test recommendations, which could lead to new infection risks. He has stated that the test obligation should apply where employees are present in companies.
In summary, regular mandatory COVID-19 testing for employees in companies is not currently required under Berlin or German federal law. Employers and employees seeking clarity are advised to consult specific workplace agreements or occupational health guidelines.
