German Court Upholds Instant Dismissal for Employee Who Took Unauthorized World Cup Trip
Published on 06/12/2026 at 06:34 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A ruling from the Cologne Regional Court (case number 6 SLa 119/25) has underscored the severe risks of self?granted leave during major sporting events. The case involved an employee who traveled abroad despite having his holiday request rejected multiple times. The court confirmed his summary dismissal was lawful, stating that even long?standing company loyalty does not shield workers from the consequences of unauthorised absence.
The judgment arrives as the FIFA World Cup, running in the United States, Canada and Mexico since 11 June, creates a familiar headache for German employers. With kick?off times falling between six and nine hours behind Central European time, many of the 104 matches take place late at night or in the early hours. Employees who stay up watching games — whether at public?viewing events or at home — and then arrive late for work have no legal excuse.
Experts say that turning up late due to fatigue from overnight football sessions violates the core duties of an employment contract. The employer is not obliged to pay wages for the missed time, and repeated lateness can lead to a written warning and, ultimately, dismissal. There is no statutory right to time off or adjusted working hours because of the World Cup. Workers who want to watch live matches are advised to book holiday in advance, use flexible working time accounts, or negotiate individual arrangements with their manager.
Live?streaming games during office hours is not permitted without the employer’s explicit consent. If the company has banned private internet use, anyone caught streaming risks consequences up to and including termination. Listening to the radio is often tolerated as long as productivity does not suffer, but private smartphones should stay in pockets until the break. Decorating the workplace with fan memorabilia also requires approval — managers decide under their right of direction whether merchandise is allowed on the premises.
Companies are urged to communicate clear rules during the tournament to avoid misunderstandings. The Rheinhessen Chamber of Commerce and Industry is hosting a webinar on 23 June for HR professionals, covering holiday requests, sick?leave reporting and continued wage payment. One important detail: employers can refuse sick?pay if an employee’s incapacity for work results from voluntary alcohol consumption.
On the economic side, the host region is commercially significant for Germany. Bavarian trade figures for 2025 show a volume of €37 billion with the United States, €4 billion with Mexico and €2.6 billion with Canada. Despite slight export declines, the ties to North American markets remain a major factor.
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