The mini refers only to money and contributions — not to rights. If an employer denies vacation or sick pay, the Minijob-Zentrale and customs authority take complaints, and claims can be enforced 3 years back.
Minijob: Full Employee Rights
Legally a minijob is ordinary part-time employment. Vacation, sick pay, holidays and dismissal protection apply fully — half of all employers forget that.
✓ Verified: 18/07/2026
WHAT TO DO
AUTHORITY
Minijob-Zentrale
Public bodyRegistration, contributions and every question about minijobs go to the Minijob-Zentrale (Knappschaft-Bahn-See).
› Details and tips
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Max recommends:
I fell ill — got 6 weeks of continued pay at 100 percent, like everyone. The mini refers only to money and contributions, not to rights. Denied sick pay — complaint to the Minijob-Zentrale.
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Lea recommends:
After 6 months in a company of 10+ the Dismissal Protection Act applies — mini does not mean fireable anytime. Rights can be enforced 3 years back if the employer breached them.
Useful Tools
- BMAS — Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales legal-info
Federal Ministry of Labour: official guidance on employment law, leave and working time.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A holiday fell on my working day — lost? ▾
No: holidays on your regular working days are paid (§ 2 EntgFG). Making you work them off is unlawful.
The boss says a minijob has no vacation. ▾
A sadly widespread lie. Paid vacation (§ 1 BUrlG) applies to every employee. With two working days a week, at least 8 paid days a year; unused days are paid out when you leave.
Am I entitled to a job reference? ▾
Yes, like any employee: at the end of the minijob you have a right to a written, benevolent reference (§ 109 GewO). It counts for your next application.