What should you do if you are summoned as a witness by the police?
Receiving the summons (Vorladung)
You should receive an official summons (Vorladung) from the police stating the date, time and place of the appointment.
The summons is usually sent in writing, either as a paper letter or, in some cases, by e-mail.
Inform your employer immediately
Inform your supervisor or the HR department as soon as you receive the summons.
Provide a copy of the summons (Vorladung) as official proof.
Make it clear that your attendance is “mandatory” and not voluntary if you are summoned as a witness or for questioning.
Have your absence officially recorded
Ask for your absence to be recorded as “Sonderurlaub” (special leave) or “bezahlte Freistellung” (paid leave under § 616 BGB) – especially if it is not possible to set an appointment outside your working hours.
Indicate how much time you will need (this may be just a few hours or a full working day, depending on distance and duration).
After returning to work
If your employer asks for proof, you can request an attendance confirmation (Anwesenheitsbestätigung) from the police and hand it in to HR/management.
Important notes
Your employer is not allowed to refuse your absence or punish you if you provide the official summons and show that your attendance is necessary.
In many cases, the absence is paid if your employment contract or internal company rules provide for paid leave in such situations. If not, you still have the right to be absent, but the time off may be unpaid in exceptional cases.
If you are summoned for a time during your day off or after work, you should, if possible, keep the appointment outside your regular working hours.
Summary:
An official police summons entitles you to stay away from work for the time required, provided you inform your employer in good time and present proper evidence (summons and, if necessary, attendance confirmation).
In most cases, there are no negative consequences at work if you follow the correct procedure and notify your employer in advance.
The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some information may be incomplete or not fully verified. Please treat this article as an initial point of reference and always consult the relevant authorities or legal professionals for binding and up-to-date advice.
