Leipzig court rejects holiday work request for online retailer

The Administrative Court of Leipzig has dismissed a lawsuit filed by an online retailer based in Markranstädt, Saxony, which sought permission to allow employees to work on Buß- und Bettag.

The company, which distributes automotive parts nationwide using its own couriers, argued that the regional holiday created significant competitive disadvantages. Because Buß- und Bettag is only a public holiday in Saxony, the retailer claimed that halting operations would lead to lost revenue, logistical issues, and the potential loss of business partners, as competitors in other German states continue to operate normally.

The court upheld the prohibition on holiday work, citing the Working Hours Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz). A court spokesperson noted that the law is designed to protect employees' right to rest on Sundays and public holidays. The court declined to grant exceptions, suggesting that allowing such exemptions for one e-commerce business could lead to similar demands from major retailers like Amazon or Otto.