Shiftdesk Blog

Guides, tips and news on shift scheduling, time tracking and employment law.

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Woman recording working time on a laptop β€” time-tracking obligation 2026
Employment law

Time-Tracking Obligation 2026: What Employers Need to Know and Do Now

The obligation to record working time already applies β€” even without a new law. What the BAG ruling means, which form is permitted, and how to act correctly as an employer right now.

April 12, 202612 min
Cashier in retail β€” Minijob hours 2026
Employment law

Minijob 2026: How Many Hours Can a Minijobber Work?

Earnings threshold of €603, minimum wage of €13.90, maximum number of hours β€” what changes for Minijobs in 2026 and what employers need to keep in mind when scheduling.

April 15, 202611 min
Care worker taking a break β€” keeping to rest periods in shift work
Guides

Creating a Shift Schedule Without Violations: Rest Periods, Breaks, Maximum Working Time

Rest periods undercut, a break forgotten, maximum working time exceeded β€” the three most common violations in shift work. How to avoid them.

April 18, 202613 min
Employee planning her vacation β€” leave planning in the company
Guides

Leave Planning in the Company: How to Organize Absences in a Structured Way

Leave requests, company-wide shutdowns, remaining leave β€” how to organize leave planning fairly, transparently and without conflict. With practical tips and a checklist.

April 20, 202611 min
Employee reviewing her working-time account on a laptop
Guides

Managing a working-time account: overtime, negative hours and target/actual time

How to keep a working-time account properly β€” with target-actual comparison, overtime rules, negative-hours handling and practical tips for getting started.

April 22, 202612 min
Restaurant team in the kitchen β€” scheduling in hospitality
Industry

Creating a Restaurant Schedule: Tips, Shift Models and Common Mistakes

Peak times, Minijobbers, split shifts β€” how to plan your restaurant schedule efficiently and avoid the most common mistakes.

April 25, 202613 min
Scheduling calendar on a laptop β€” Excel vs. software comparison
Guides

Scheduling with Excel or Software? An Honest Comparison

Excel is free and flexible β€” but is that enough? Where Excel hits its limits and when scheduling software pays off. With a comparison table and a checklist.

April 28, 202612 min
Doctor creating an eAU β€” electronic certificate of incapacity for work
Guides

Organizing the eAU correctly: How the electronic sick note works

The paper sick note has been gone since 2023. How the eAU procedure works, which response codes exist, and how to organize the process in your business.

April 30, 202611 min
Care worker creating a staff schedule on a whiteboard
Guides

Creating a Staff Schedule: The Complete Guide for Shift Operations [2026]

Create a staff schedule step by step: legal foundations, 4 shift models compared, a 7-step guide, and the 10 most common mistakes.

May 2, 202617 min
Man creating a shift schedule on a tablet
Guides

Creating a Shift Schedule: Models, Rules and Guide [2026]

Creating a shift schedule for 2-, 3- and 4-shift systems: a step-by-step guide, ArbZG rules for night work and the 5 most common mistakes.

May 5, 202615 min
Man checking working time on a smartwatch – time tracking software
Guides

Time Tracking Software: A Comparison for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses [2026]

Time tracking software compared: a 10-point checklist, the BAG ruling explained, GDPR requirements, and why time tracking and scheduling belong together.

May 8, 202616 min
Hand holding a chip to a digital time clock – time tracking at the terminal
Guides

Digital Time Clock: Everything Companies Need to Know in 2026

Digital time clock for businesses: app vs. terminal vs. browser, costs, GDPR, the ArbZG obligation and 7 selection criteria. With comparison tables.

May 10, 202614 min
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