Accompanying Partner
Support Services - 1 part
The BAE SYSTEMS In-Country Management Team (BAESG) would like to give as much support and advice as possible to all accompanying spouses. Although we will help as much as possible, we will not be in a position to actually offer working positions or influence our Partner Companies.
Every individual will be different as to the type of help they require. We have already implemented the following initiatives and are open to suggestions and comments for further review/improvement to assist all future accompanying spouses.
Global employers face a dilemma - how to encourage employees to accept international moves when their partners may be unable to work due to cultural and language barriers. The goal of these services is to help the career spouse/partner maintain or improve his/her professional skills during the international assignment, either via paid employment or obtaining satisfying, career-related activities, such as a volunteer position or educational opportunities.
Example of the areas in which we can help:-
- Information on potential employers and key contacts for network/information purposes combined with job leads, if possible, in the spouse's/partner's field
- Assistance with CV preparation to the standard German style
- Consultation on developing a job search action plan
- Practice with interviewing and negotiation skills - focusing specifically on the new culture
- Referrals to recruitment agencies, if appropriate
- Ongoing support until a successful conclusion is reached
- Establishing networking meetings with similar career professionals
- Providing options for continuing education, professional training, and/or seminars and workshops in order to enhance current career skills or establish/develop new skills.
Please contact the Human Resources Officer, BAE SYSTEMS Germany, Telephone +4989 60720133. Email
sara.pendleton@baesystemsgermany.de
Any visitor to Germany who stays more than 3 months, should consider the following three areas of requirements to live and work in Germany:-
A work permit (Arbeitserlaubnis) is required for any visitors to Germany (although UK is one of the EC member States, there should be no problem in obtaining a work permit, however the formal work-permit application must be undertaken)
Registration of Address (Anmeldebestätigung) is required
Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) is required
A German Tax Card (Lohnsteuerkarte) is required (if individual is working)
These processes are mainly formalities as all EC member States have a right to live and work in a fellow EC country, however the employee and all accompanying family members will receive full support and help in arranging all registration formalities from BAESG.
Please refer to 'Taxes/Social Security Deductions' for details on the German taxation system. A brief summary note for spouses when working in Germany, that the German legislative system requires that both marital partners 'join together' in their taxation affairs and share their tax codings/tax burden. Each individual working must have a taxcard (Lohnsteuerkarte), and you should take advice from the German Tax Advisor to ensure the correct tax codings.
There is a certain 'tax-free' provision, where any individual can work and earn up to Euro 325 per month without having to pay tax. This is a well-known method of compensation for part-time work. However this should be handled formally and an application needs to be made to the tax office for a formal Statement, which needs to be provided to the employer. It is advisable to liaise with the German Taxation Advisor for assistance in obtaining this certificate, if for nothing else, to help with pronouncing the form name:-
"Antrag auf Erteilung einer Bescheinigung zur Steuerfreistellung des Arbeitslohns für ein geringfügiges Beschäftigungsverhältnis (325-Euro-Arbeitsverhältnis)."
Generally, you will find positions advertised in jobcentres (Arbeitsamt), local and national newspapers, and on the internet, however more commonly positions are found through "word of mouth" so it is worthwhile making sure that other people know you are looking for work.
If you are looking for a job through the jobcentre or newspapers in Germany not having knowledge of the German language may be your first stumbling block, however, perseverance is rewarding, there are numerous new international companies setting up business in the Munich area where English will be the main working language so it may prove more successful to write directly to companies enquiring about vacancies (see below on 'Euro Pages').
The following UK job-searching websites also have International vacancies, for which you can search on the area of Munich (postcode (postleitzahl) is 8):
In the Munich area, a possible internet search is with the on-line Munich Found, which is an English-language monthly publication. On this site classified advertisements can be found, and also a small job-market noticeboard for which you could insert your own advertisement. Website:
http://www.munichfound.de
The Saturday edition of the Süddeutsche Zeitung has one of the best selections of job advertisements. Most advertisements will be in German, but a few are in English where English may be the main working language. You can investigate current vacancies from Süddeutsche on-line; website with all current vacancies (approximately 5,000) giving you a direct contact point to the job market:
http://www.sueddeutsche.com. "Stellenmarkt" = Job market, "Übersicht" = Overview/summary, "Suchen" = looking for ads, "Inserieren" = Insert your own ad. Unfortunately this website is only in German so may be difficult to navigate for those non-German speakers.
Labour Office (Arbeitsamt)
Anyone can use the EURES network, which was established by the European Commission and national employment departments. This network comprises 450 'Eurocounsellors' throughout the European Union and the European Economic Area who are specifically trained to inform and advise job seekers moving from one country to another and to assist them in finding job placements. Eurocounsellors can be contacted via local employment centres.
The Labour Office in Munich holds details of a massive range of jobs/vacancies within the Munich area, approximately 10-12,000 positions at any one time. Most vacancies of course will be within German companies where you must have very good German; however, occasionally you will find companies looking for native English-speakers. Any individual can visit the Labour office and freely access their computerised job-search databases. This job-search database is set-up in German, so depending on level of German, it would be advisable to research key words in which to carry out your search; individuals can key in specific professions/areas to work in etc and obtain brief details of vacancies of your choice. You can also place an advertisement yourself.
- The Labour Office provides a comprehensive job-search/job assistance programme; they have various departments specialising in specific areas of the employment market:
- Computerised job searches; 50 terminals accessible to all
- Assistance in claiming unemployment benefit
- Arbeitsamt newspaper for vacancies
- Classified advertisements (place your own advert for job-search)
- Profession Information Centre; details about different professions
- Assistance in setting up your own company/going free-lance
- Assistance in job applications/CV writing
- Temporary/non-skilled positions
- Temporary/part-time positions
- Student work
Address of Arbeitsamt in Munich; Kapuzinerstr 26, 80337 Muenchen Web site:
http://www.arbeitsamt.de, To get English-language information first go to the home page, and click on "International", then on "Internationale Vermittlung", and you will see a small British flag.
Job Search - "Euro Pages"
If you have a specific profession and would like to write directly to companies asking for positions, you may wish to try the "Euro Pages" on the Internet. This is similar to the yellow pages and holds address details for most major companies in Europe to search for companies by their business (Agriculture/Construction/ Telecommunications etc).
Web site: http://www.europages.com.
German curriculum vitae (Lebenslauf) are customarily more detailed than UK ones. They should include a complete education and work experience summary; whether your CV is submitted in English or German, it has its own unique style. A photograph of the applicant is always submitted. A German CV always includes the date of birth and marital status. Dates concerning education, which begins with elementary or primary school, and past employment are listed chronologically from past to present. Attachments usually include copies of qualifications, letters of recommendation and other documents you think will impress the potential employer.
Various websites offer advice on writing applications, cv's and interview skills:
An international website with in-depth details on living and working in various European cities, has an excellent section on numerous topic regarding looking for work; writing a culturally correct CV, and a full career workshop:
http://www.expatica.com
If a parent's opportunity to work is limited due to remaining at home to bring up a family, in UK a 'Home Responsibility Protection' arrangement can help to get a basic retirement pension for that person on retirement. This UK State Benefit is only applicable if the parent is claiming UK Child Benefit for the child. It is therefore important for parents to be aware, that if you move overseas/are ordinarily resident overseas and become subject to foreign legislation, you can no longer claim UK Child Benefit. However, you can alternatively claim the local overseas child-benefit payments. In Germany 'Kindergeld' payments should be applied to receive Child Benefit payments, and whilst a parent remains at home to care for a child an equivalent arrangement exists in Germany which protects a parent's pension rights. Please see Pension Section.
Within our Open Learning Centres we have a vast amount of learning material; audio, visual and CD-Rom driven on many topics. Whether you wish to learn a language, or further certain studies you may have commenced before arrival in Germany; the Open Learning centres can be used by all accompanying spouses. All costs for courses undertaken within the Open Learning Centre will be met by BAESG. Please contact the Open Learning Officer at Ottobrunn or Hallbergmoos.
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Partner Support Services - 2 part
