Working time (partial completion)
Members only -> All regulations of the NV Bühne only apply to members of BFFS, GDBA and VdO. Although they also apply to non-members, they actually ONLY apply to members. You can join the GDBA here.
The GDBA team will soon be offering training courses on the partial termination of working time as part of the Face it! education program.
- One free working day every week.
- The ½ day off can no longer be given on Sunday mornings.
- A ½ day off in the morning lasts at least until 2 pm.
- Only 4 hours (5 hours for final rehearsals) may be scheduled on the ½ day off.
- There is one compensatory day for working on a public holiday within 8 weeks.
- There are 8 x 2 consecutive days off with a Sunday. At least 4 x Saturday & Sunday.
- In addition, there are 1.5 consecutive days off 8 times per season.
- 3 rehearsal-free calendar days after the premiere.
- A flat rate of 30 minutes will be charged after the performance.
- 4 hours rest between rehearsals (can be reduced to 3 hours 10 times during the performance. For each reduction there is a 1/3 daily fee)
- 4 hours rest before the performance. In the case of exceptional stress (e.g. large role/part) 5 hours.
- Night-time rest of 11 hours may only be reduced to 10 hours for unforeseen reasons. In return, ½ day off within two weeks is granted.
- A flat rate of 30 minutes will be charged after the performance.
- Rehearsals (except for performances and final rehearsals) last a maximum of 7 hours per day.
- Introduction of a binding weekly schedule on Thursday of the previous week.
- Introduction of a non-binding weekly preview for the week after next.
- The free working days must be announced 6 weeks in advance.
- The 1/2 days off must be announced with the weekly schedule.
- The days off can only be changed by mutual agreement.
- Changes to the weekly schedule only under defined conditions.
- Changes to the weekly schedule must be communicated separately.
- No change after 2 p.m. on the previous day.
- If the 24.12. is not free, it must be the 01.05.
Like in Solo.
In addition:
- In the 26/27 season, the ½ days off will be announced 6 weeks in advance.
- Non-binding preview of the ½ days off 6 weeks before in the 25/26 season.
(Rest periods as in the previous regulation for dance groups).
- One free working day every week.
- The ½ day off can no longer be given on Sunday mornings.
- A ½ day off in the morning lasts at least until 2 pm.
- Only 4 hours (5 hours for final rehearsals) may be worked on the ½ day off.
- There is one compensatory day for working on a public holiday within 8 weeks.
- There are 1.5 consecutive days off 8 times per season.
- There are 8 x 2 consecutive days off with a Sunday. At least 4 x Saturday & Sunday.
- Night-time rest of 11 hours may only be reduced to 10 hours for unforeseen reasons. In return, ½ day off within two weeks is granted.
- The free working days must be announced 6 weeks in advance.
- The 1/2 days off must be announced on Thursday of the previous week.
- The days off can only be changed by mutual agreement.
- If the 24.12. is not free, it must be the 01.05.
Like in Solo.
In addition:
- if a lighting rehearsal exceeds 7 hours of rehearsal time, 1/2 day off will be granted as compensation until 4 weeks after the premiere.
- Opening clauses for company regulations for further reductions in rest periods
- 5h rest period before the actual start of the performance
- A ½ day off in the morning lasts at least until 2 pm.
- Only 4 hours (5 hours for final rehearsals) may be scheduled on the ½ day off.
- There is one compensatory day for working on a public holiday within 8 weeks.
- becomes 16 x 1.5 consecutive days off:
- 8 x 1.5 consecutive days off during the season.
- 8 x 2 consecutive days off with a Sunday. At least 4 x Saturday & Sunday.
- Night-time rest of 11 hours may only be reduced to 10 hours for unforeseen reasons. In return, ½ day off within two weeks is granted.
- 3 rehearsal-free calendar days after the premiere.
- A flat rate of 30 minutes will be charged after the performance.
- Introduction of a binding weekly schedule on Thursday of the previous week.
- Introduction of a non-binding weekly preview for the week after next.
- Changes to the weekly schedule only under defined conditions.
- Changes to the weekly schedule must be communicated separately.
- No change after 2 p.m. on the previous day.
- If the 24.12. is not free, it must be the 01.05.
- One free working day every week.
- ½ day off per week, which may not be given on Sunday morning or the morning of a public holiday.
- A ½ day off in the morning lasts at least until 2 pm.
- A ½ day off in the afternoon/evening starts at 2 p.m. at the latest.
- Only 4 hours (5 hours for final rehearsals) may be worked on the ½ day off.
- Announcement of days off like TVöD/TV-L on the premises, at least 2 weeks in advance.
- Compensation day for working on a weekday holiday within 8 weeks (previously 1 season).
- § Section 66 (4) on accessibility is deleted.
- From January 1, 2026, reduction in working hours with full wage compensation:
- Full-time 39 hours (previously 40).
- Separate additional agreement on overtime only possible up to 44 hours (previously up to 46 hours in the employment contract)
- For existing contracts, reduction by 1 hour (39 hours must be offered).
- Bonuses for overtime up to 1.5 times the minimum salary increase to 30% (above 15%).
- Overtime is subject to a surcharge after 6 weeks (previously after the season).
- Opening clause for working time accounts.
- Basically the changes as in the respective special regulation.
- Reduced rest periods in the afternoon and the crediting of travel time to the rest period on the return journey remain possible.
- In future, only one shortening may be used before departure or on the return journey.
- This reduction is possible 20 times per season.
- If there are to be further reductions, the approval of the respective Management Board is required.
- In principle, the following will apply in future: 1 additional day off will be granted for every 5 reductions or part thereof.
- The compensation period is the playing time.
The regulations on days off, rest periods and weekly schedules already apply from August 1, 2025. Some regulations are not yet binding in the SZ 2025/26. This is due to the fact that some stages have already planned the coming season.
The regulations on working hours and bonuses in the special regulation on stage technology apply from January 1, 2026.
- If, in exceptional cases, a free working day cannot be given, then longer compensation periods apply in the 26/26 season.
- In the 25/26 season, performances and rehearsals with orchestra that have already been scheduled are also considered grounds for such an exception.
- ½ day off cannot be given in Solo & BT on the morning of a Sunday or public holiday. 2025/26 still a target regulation
- The ½ days off for dance solo 25/26 will be announced 6 weeks in advance without obligation. From 26/27 binding.
- 3 rehearsal-free calendar days after the premiere - 25/26 still a target rule. At least 1 working day after the premiere must also be rehearsal-free on 25/26.
- 3 rehearsal-free calendar days are also 26/27 still a target regulation if existing arrangements prevent the 3 rehearsal-free calendar days. However, even then, 1 working day must be rehearsal-free and the remaining 2 days must be given within 7 days of the premiere.
- The "double holidays" (8 x 2 consecutive days off with Sunday, at least 4 x Saturday + Sunday) are 25/26 a target regulation for all employees in the NV Bühne. 26/27 a must-rule for SR Solo and BT. In the SR Chorus and Dance, it is still possible to deviate from 26/27 if an already existing performance schedule makes weekends off impossible.
- 5 hours of rest before the performance and 5 hours of rest before the mask for large roles - 25/26 still a target regulation.
From the next season, all NV-Bühne employees will be entitled to one working dayoff per week and ½ day off per week.
In future, the ½ day can no longer be scheduled for Sunday mornings or the morning of a public holiday, even for solo and stage technology. This means more free time.
The free working days must be announced 6 weeks in advance in the special regulations for choir, dance and solo .
The ½ days off are also announced in the dance and choir 6 weeks in advance.
For Solo , the ½ days off are announced in the weekly schedule.
For solo dancers , there is a non-binding preview of the ½ days off for 6 weeks in the 25/26 season. From the 26/27 season onwards, the ½ days off for solo dancers will also be announced 6 weeks in advance.
In the special regulation for stage technology , the full and ½ days off are announced at the same time as for employees in the TVöD or TV-L at the building, at the latest 14 days in advance.
No, the working day off and the ½ day off can only be changed in agreement with the member.
Yes.
There are 8 x 2 consecutive days off with one Sunday (double free time).
4 times it must be a classic weekend, i.e. Saturday and Sunday,
4 times it can be either Saturday and Sunday or Sunday and Monday off.
4 double free periods must be awarded per half of the season.
In addition, there will be 1.5 consecutive days off 8 times per season for all special regulations.
Yes, in future all NV Bühne employees will be entitled to a compensatory day off if they work on a public holiday.
This day off must be granted within 8 weeks. The period can also be extended at the member's request.
No, in future only performances may take place on the first 3 calendar days. This also includes activities that are directly related to the performance.
However, these days are not to be given in addition, i.e. free working days and ½ days off can also be given there.
Yes, a rest period of 4 hours must be allowed between two samples.
The rest period can be shortened to 3 hours 10 times during the playing time. If the rest period is shortened, 1/3 of the daily fee is paid.
Yes, if the working time is split in the BT area, a 4-hour rest period must also be granted here.
In future, working time can no longer be spread over more than 2 periods.
Yes and no.
This is where it gets a little complicated.
In principle, there is a 5-hour rest period before the start of the performance for everyone. This benefits those who have to be at the theater less than 1 hour before the performance. In any case, there is at least a 4-hour rest period before the member has to arrive at the theater before the performance.
In the case of extraordinary stress, the rest period before I have to be in the theater for a performance is 5 hours.
This applies in any case to major roles and parts, but may also be due to the size of the role/part or other requirements based on the type of participation.
There is an appropriate rest period after the performance. In this way, we want to enable local members to decide for themselves how to organize their day after a morning performance.
The warm-up time takes place after each performance and after the 4 final rehearsals for all performers.
Double performances of the same play are still possible. The normal rest periods apply between two different plays.
The night's rest of 11 hours must be given.
If the rest period has to be shortened for an unforeseeable operational reason, it can be reduced to 10 hours. This reduction may not be planned or scheduled. The Executive Board must be consulted beforehand.
As compensation, there is then an additional ½ day off within 2 weeks.
This question is controversial.
In this partial agreement, the special regulations for solo, choir and dance do not contain any provisions on working time. In any case, the rest period before departure ends at the moment the employees board the bus. After the return, the (night) rest period only begins after arrival at the theater.
In the special regulation for stage technology, half of the travel time is still considered working time. The night's rest also applies here from the return to the theater.
On days without final rehearsals, rehearsals in the special regulation solo may last a maximum of 7 hours excluding breaks.
Work interruptions of less than 20 minutes do not count as breaks.
If the 7 hours of rehearsal per day are exceeded due to the required participation in a lighting rehearsal, there will be a ½ day off. This must be given within 4 weeks of the premiere.
There is also the option of agreeing other regulations for the reduction in rest periods locally via an opening clause. These agreements are possible if there is appropriate compensation for the reduction.
There are work interruptions (such as the famous cigarette or coffee break) that do not count as breaks.
A break that does not count as working time must last at least 20 minutes.
If it lasts longer than 60 minutes, this part is counted towards the 7 hours.
The weekly schedule is always announced on Thursday of the previous week. It states:
- Name of the production
- The participants
- The place
- Start and end of rehearsals
- The type of rehearsal (e.g. scenic or musical)
- Mask times
- End of the performance with a 30-minute warm-up time (flat rate)
- known dates (such as shootings, interviews, meetings, etc.)
- Free working days
- ½ days off
- A non-binding weekly preview for the week after next
The weekly schedule is published on Thursday of the previous week.
Yes, the weekly schedule is binding. Changes are only possible under certain conditions.
Can be changed:
- The type of rehearsal (e.g. scenic or musical), but the time slot remains the same.
- The production (in the special regulation for dance, the board must be consulted).
- If an additional time slot is to be booked, this is only possible under the rules of co-determination (works or staff councils).
- After 2 p.m. on the previous day, a change is only possible by mutual agreement.
If the weekly schedule is changed (except when rehearsals are canceled), there must be a separate notification in a suitable form. This can also be a verbal announcement at the rehearsal.
Yes, the daily schedule specifies the weekly schedule.
The exact scene and rehearsal content is announced via the daily schedule.
Even if someone has to come later, finish earlier or entire rehearsals are canceled, this is communicated via the daily schedule.
As far as the contents (e.g. scenes or acts) of the stage are known, they will be announced in the weekly schedule without obligation.
Yes, theoretically that is possible. On normal rehearsal days, however, only for 7 hours a day. This benefits all those who do not yet have operational regulations at the theater.
The weekly schedule is subject to co-determination and the works and staff councils can also exert influence here.
Postponement is also no longer possible without further ado. It is therefore clear whether there are split or long rehearsals. And rehearsals and repetition lessons can't simply be added on.
No, the daily schedule can no longer be changed in the future.
If there is a short-term emergency, a change is only possible by mutual agreement.
No. The weekly schedule is the binding schedule. Changes to the binding weekly schedule that are communicated separately by 2 p.m. on the previous day must be acknowledged.
In addition, there is no longer an obligation to be available.
No, but in future there will be 3 rehearsal-free calendar daysafter the premiere. This applies to soloists as well as choir and dance.
This regulation only applies to performers.
For all others, the start of work before a performance is regulated in the weekly schedule.
In any case, there is a 5-hour rest period before the actual start of the performance, regardless of when you have to be in the theater.
Yes, from January 2026, full-time in BT will be a 39-hour week.
Yes, it is possible to increase the weekly working time to up to 44 hours. There is a second document for this. There is then a supplement for every hour over 39 hours.
Yes, the additional agreement can be terminated with 6 months' notice to July 31.
The salary remains the same, but the working hours are reduced. This is therefore a salary increase for the stage technology department.
Yes, there will be this supplement for new contracts from January 2026.
Anyone who agrees to work more than 39 hours a week will receive a supplement for these hours.
The surcharge is 30% up to 1.5 times the minimum fee. If the individual fee is higher, the surcharge is 15%.
Work in excess of the agreed weekly working hours must be compensated within 6 weeks. If the overtime is not compensated, there is a surcharge.
The surcharge is 30% up to 1.5 times the minimum fee. For higher fees 15%
Overtime, i.e. more than the contractually agreed working hours per week, must be compensated within 6 weeks.
If this does not happen, a surcharge will be payable.
The additional work must then be balanced out within one season.
Yes, working time accounts can be agreed for the BT division.
No, now we have only negotiated on working time. Non-renewal is the next big issue that the unions want to negotiate.
This means that we have only been able to negotiate part of our demands and will be tackling the next part soon. Among other things, this will involve part-time work or the working hours of soloists in the office.
Every week means that the free working day is given every week and can only be deviated from in exceptional cases.
Per week means that the ½ day off must be given once per week in total. However, the ½ days off can also be accumulated. In any case, 26 ½ days off must be given in 26 weeks.
In future, it is clear that ½ day off must start at 2 p.m. at the latest. It can also end at 2 p.m. at the earliest.
No more than 4 hours can be worked on a ½ day off. Except on final rehearsal days, when it is 5 hours.
Final rehearsals are the 4 unlimited rehearsals that already exist in choir and dance. Depending on the discipline, these are KHP, OHP, GP and a further rehearsal, or AMA, HP1, HP2 and GP.
In the case of revivals, one rehearsal counts as the final rehearsal.
After each performance or rehearsal with costume and make-up, a flat rate of 30 minutes will be charged for the performers. A rest period only begins after the end of the dressing time.
A target rule means that this rule must normally be implemented. Deviations are only permitted in exceptional cases.
Yes, the NV Bühne will come back into force so that everyone can quickly benefit from the agreed regulations. The right to strike will be restricted due to the "peace obligation" after the reinstatement.
However, the NV Bühne has no minimum term and can always be terminated on June 30 with a notice period of 6 months.
Further salary levels were not negotiated in this partial agreement. We will continue to work on this as well.
In BT, the salary improves because working hours are reduced by 1 hour with full pay compensation.
We will continue to negotiate working time regulations with the stage association. Then it will be about office solo, regulations and recording working time in solo and part-time.
We will also negotiate the ver.di agreement with the Stage Association in May. The NV Bühne employees will then also receive these adjustments retroactively from April. The agreement affects theaters that apply the TVöD in the technical and administrative areas.
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