Applying for an exemption from the ban on working on Sundays and public holidays

As an employer, you require a permit from the local authority responsible for occupational health and safety if you wish to work on a Sunday or public holiday.
You can apply for a permit to work on Sundays or public holidays if you

• wish to hold in-house and order fairs for commercial resellers,
• want to prevent disproportionate damage to a business due to special circumstances, for example due to a very high sickness rate or a late delivery of materials,
• want to carry out the legally required stocktaking if this cannot be done on a weekday.

If there are other reasons, these will also be examined and work on Sundays or public holidays will be approved if necessary.
Certain activities are exempt from the general ban on working on Sundays and public holidays, such as

• Services of general interest:
  
  • for example, caring for the sick or looking after animals,
• services:
  
  • for example in restaurants or with cab companies, and
• leisure activities:
  
  • for example in theaters, soccer or leisure facilities,
• Use in emergencies and exceptional cases:
  
  • For example, work that cannot be postponed, such as repairs to burst pipes or storm damage to roofs.

Maximum limits apply for certain exceptions.

Requirements

• You can only apply for authorization to work on Sundays and public holidays if you are an employer.

What documents do I need?

• Application form
  
  • via the homepage of the trade supervisory authority or
  • informal letter to the senatorial authority (SGFV)
• Statement from the works council (if available)