15,100 euros too little!

German company wanted to handle far too cheaply

Sabine Draxler, head of the Chamber of Labor in Waidhofen an der Thaya, with Melitta Zach (center from left), who received help. The Chamber of Labor council members Andreas Hitz and Michaela Schön, who flank her, are also delighted.(Bild: Klaus Schindler)

Although Melitta Zach even worked as a team leader in a branch of a German retail chain for eleven years, her knee problems in 2017 marked the start of a long ordeal in which she also had to assert herself within her company. "I would have liked to, but I just couldn't do it anymore," she says, thanking Waidhofen-Thaya-AK boss Sabine Draxler, who stood by her side.

Sabine Draxler, head of the Chamber of Labor (AK) in the Waidhofen an der Thaya district, has never experienced this before. "Although the contract for partial retirement clearly stated that Ms. Zach's severance pay would be calculated on the basis of her full-time work, she was paid a total of 15,131.34 euros less. After our intervention, however, she quickly received the money in arrears," she says, pleased to have been able to help Melitta Zach from Dietmanns.

Severance pay: It pays to do the math!
Especially with old severance pay, it can pay off to have it recalculated by the AK. "German companies often lag behind when it comes to changes in the collective agreement and the like. If we then complain about this, it is usually corrected without any problems - without having to go to court," emphasizes Draxler.

Ordeal began with knee problems
The regional AK boss has repeatedly supported the neo-retiree since 2017. Back then, the team leader at the Waidhofner branch of a German company developed health problems. "Walking, standing, heavy lifting, no air conditioning," says Zach, describing the stressful working conditions that many retail employees struggle with. After knee surgery, she was off work for a long time and could only manage her full-time job with severe pain.

I often sat with Mrs. Draxler in tears, I didn't know what to do. I am infinitely grateful for her help, without her it would never have turned out so well.

Handelsangestellte Melitta Zach.

Bild: Klaus Schindler

Fight for less stress won
The Chamber of Labor fought to get the 61-year-old back on part-time work so that she could cope with the burden. "I am so grateful to Sabine Draxler and that is why I am prepared to tell my story publicly," says Zach. Otherwise, the retail employee would have been threatened with a serious loss of income - which is particularly serious in times of inflation.

Almost every 7th resident sought help from AK
The Waidhofen an der Thaya Chamber of Labor has identified tense times in its district of 25,500 inhabitants: "In 2023, 3,500 people sought our help here, with more than 7,500 consultations," according to AK officials.