The rights and obligations of an employee are regulated in the employment contract, the collective agreement, the company agreement, and in laws. In general, these include:

Employee rights

• Receiving income for services rendered
• The right to employment
• The right to freedom of expression, taking into account the interests of employers, customers and contractual partners
• The right to equal treatment
• The right of access to personnel file
• The right to holidays, parental leave and undisturbed leisure time
• The right to breaks, e.g. lunch break
• The right to an employment reference letter after dismissal
• The right to duty of care by the employer
• The right to protection against dismissal if employment relationship lasts longer than 6 months
• The right to co-determination for at least 5 permanent employees through the Works Constitution Act

Employee obligations

• Giving the income tax card and social security proof to the personnel department of the company
• Obligation to work/service: performing the agreed work
• Loyalty obligation: employee must stand up for the interests of the company
• Obligation of obedience or operational consideration to guarantee the order and safety of the company
• Obligation to secrecy
• Obligation to handle materials and tools with care
• Obligation to apply protective measures in accordance with employer's instructions
• Obligation to report sick
• Obligation to provide information on the status of work
• Obligation to provide correct information, e.g. expenses, loss of service
• Non-competition clause: The employee must not act as a direct competitor to his employer
• Obligation to report a pregnancy

Source and further information: arbeitsratgeber.com (link in German)