Guidelines for fixed-term contracts for scientific and non-scientific employees

In 2013, Hohenheim was the first university in Baden-Württemberg to make a commitment regarding fixed-term contracts of mid-level faculty. With the help of a catalog of measures, the employment relationships were made more attractive, contributing to the satisfaction and performance of the affected employees.

The guidelines were further developed for the first time in November 2014. The current guidelines from 4 May 2016 take into consideration the requirements for universities regarding fixed-term contracts in the University Funding Agreement as well as the changed conditions in the Act on Fixed-Term Contracts in Science (WissZeitVG) last amended on 17 March 2016.  The guidelines are applicable to both scientific and non-scientific employees. 

 Guidelines for fixed-term contracts from 4 May 2016

• Fixed-term contracts of scientific staff from the household budget or hired for planned positions:
  Since these funds/positions are available in the long term, the guideline recommends fixing the contract terms in a way that enables the employee to complete their qualification goal. The type of qualification, the envisaged goal, and the time required must be described. Contracts should not be shorter than 3 years.
• Research associates funded by third-party funds:
  In these cases, the guidelines recommend limiting the contract term in line with the duration of the project. Contracts should not be shorther than 2 years.
• Planning new staff
  In general, new and follow-up contracts should be concludedno later than three months before hiring or before the previous contract runs out.
• Part-time contracts
  Part-time contracts should generally be for at least 50%.
• Permanent administrative tasks
  Persons hired to perform long-term technical and administrative tasks should usually work on permanent contracts.