News & Stories

Berlin. The hotel industry could face increased administrative hurdles if the EU manages to push forward with a new consumer rights directive: Under the directive, each pizza order would become a bureaucratic act, though the most onerous obligation would involve changing each website. The German Hotel and Restaurant Association opposes the directive.

Offenbach. The "Emmely" dispute made many headlines last year in Germany: The case involved the dismissal of a cashier from a supermarket in Berlin as a result of her using two misappropriated bottle deposit receipts with a total value of 1,30 to her own advantage. The case has consequences for many employers, in particular in connection with dismissals in the context of offences against property. In last week's edition, hospitalityInside legal expert and employer solicitor Joachim Jungbluth set out the course of the case up to the final decision of the Federal Labour Court. Today, he explains the grounds for the Court's decision and the consequences of that judgement which are relevant to all sectors of industry – including hospitality.

Offenbach. Hardly any other dispute has busied both lawyers and the public over recent years like the "Emmely" case has in Germany. The case involved the dismissal of a checkout lady from a supermarket in Berlin as a result of her using two misappropriated bottle deposit receipts with a total value of 1,30 for her own benefit. This case gives cause to take a closer look at the facts, the litigation, the grounds for the Federal Labour Court's decision and the consequences of that decision. The result of the case has far-reaching consequences for the future treatment of employees, in particular in relation to offences against property.

Duesseldorf. Data usage on the Internet, particularly in the social networks, is increasingly being discussed in public. Compared to the rest of Europe, Germany has a very extensive data protection law. The Bundesverband Digitale Wirtschaft has now issued a guide including 10 tips for platform operators.

Cologne. Neue Dorint GmbH based in Cologne is suing the German state of Rhineland Palatinate and Nuerburgring GmbH for distortion of competition. Dorint claims that a competitor has been unfairly advantaged through unlawful contracts concluded with respect to the Nuerburgring. The competitor can only be Lindner Hotels. Dorint has operated a hotel on the ring for 20 years. Recently, two Lindner hotels and a holiday park have brought competition.

Munich. The largest German state decided per referendum in favour of the most strict non-smoker protection bill of Germany on July 4, 2010. The bill even prohibits smoking at the Oktoberfest. The day after tomorrow, on August 1, 2010, the bill is to come into force. However, this week, a loop hole was found.

Bern. The time has come: in the night to May 1, 2010, cigarettes will be banned everywhere in Switzerland to smoking lounges or the streets. Everything else has been prohibited.

Offenbach. Volcanic ash grounded millions last week - and caused problems for many who weren't able to reach their places of work on time. This has also affected employees in the hotel industry. How will the boss react? What must the company pay? hospitalityInside expert, Joachim Jungbluth, Solicitor and Labour Law Specialist, answers some questions.

New York The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York obviously wants to halt the lawsuit about fraud and theft of trade secrets pursued by Starwood Hotels & Resorts against Hilton and two former Starwood executives. Meanwhile Blackstone has struck a deal to restructure the debt of Hilton.

Munich. The pitfalls awaiting on a transfer of undertaking are many, as the previous article on inheritance, gift and earnings tax showed. Legal aspects of the transfer are certainly no less tricky. An awareness of some of the problems is therefore a good thing - especially as the Institute for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Bonn estimates that 71,000 family-run businesses are transferred each year in Germany. Two lawyers and tax consultants, both specialised in the hotel industry, Barbara Gayer and Frank Behrenz from Sonntag & Partner, Munich/Augsburg, will today throw light on some of the legal aspects of a transfer of undertakings.