Question 104 · Federal question
A woman in Germany loses her job. What cannot be the reason for this dismissal?
German original (as asked in the real test)
Eine Frau in Deutschland verliert ihre Arbeit. Was darf nicht der Grund für diese Entlassung sein?
- A Die Frau ist lange krank und arbeitsunfähig.
- B Die Frau kam oft zu spät zur Arbeit.
- C Die Frau erledigt private Sachen während der Arbeitszeit.
- D Die Frau bekommt ein Kind und ihr Chef weiß das. ✓ Correct answer
Translation
A woman in Germany loses her job. What cannot be the reason for this dismissal?
- A The woman is long-term sick and unable to work.
- B The woman often arrived late to work.
- C The woman handles private matters during working hours.
- D The woman is having a child and her boss knows that. ✓ Correct answer
Explanation
In Germany, dismissal due to pregnancy is prohibited. Pregnant employees are protected by the Maternity Protection Act and general anti-discrimination laws. The other options describe performance or conduct-related reasons that can, in principle, justify termination if properly documented and procedurally correct.
Tips
- Look for protected characteristics (e.g., pregnancy, disability, religion, race, age) that cannot lawfully justify dismissal.
- Recall the Maternity Protection Act: termination is generally forbidden during pregnancy and shortly after childbirth.
- Use elimination: repeated tardiness, private tasks during work, or long-term incapacity can be grounds for dismissal if legal requirements are met.
- Watch for keywords indicating discrimination or protected status rather than job-related conduct or performance.
- Consider whether the reason targets the person’s status vs. their workplace behavior; status-based reasons are often unlawful.
Practice in the app
