There are now countless ways to sign documents digitally. Nevertheless, in practice, there is often uncertainty about whether and how digital signatures can be used in a legally compliant manner.
❗️ The most prominent example is the Berlin startup Gorillas. Gorillas – probably to save costs – used only simple electronic signatures for its fixed-term employment contracts. The consequences are dire: If the written form is not observed for fixed-term employment contracts, the entire fixed-term agreement is invalid. The fixed-term employment contract then becomes an unlimited employment contract, which can only be terminated under the strict rules of the Protection Against Dismissal Act.
💡 The topic of “digital signatures” has become a real hot topic in my consultations. The variety of providers promising complete digitalization of HR processes is simply too tempting.
Nicole Plich from Business Punk therefore asked me to share my experiences and tips. The result is an interview on the topic “FAQ Labor Law: Can employment contracts be signed digitally?”