der  Arbeitnehmer

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʁnɛːmɐ/

💼 What does 'der Arbeitnehmer' mean?

Der Arbeitnehmer (masculine) refers to a person who works for an Arbeitgeber (employer) within the framework of an Arbeitsvertrag (employment contract) and receives remuneration (Lohn - wage, or Gehalt - salary) for it. The Arbeitnehmer is subject to instructions, meaning they must follow the employer's directions regarding the type, place, and time of work performance.

The term is central to German labor law (Arbeitsrecht).

The feminine form is die Arbeitnehmerin (female employee).

🚨 Important: Do not confuse with the Arbeitgeber (employer - the one who gives work and pays for it).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Declension of Arbeitnehmer

The noun „Arbeitnehmer“ is masculine and is declined as follows:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Der Arbeitnehmer unterschrieb seinen neuen Vertrag. (The employee signed his new contract. - Nominative Singular)
2. Die Rechte des Arbeitnehmers sind im Gesetz verankert. (The employee's rights are anchored in law. - Genitive Singular)
3. Der Chef gab dem Arbeitnehmer neue Aufgaben. (The boss gave the employee new tasks. - Dative Singular)
4. Das Unternehmen sucht einen neuen Arbeitnehmer. (The company is looking for a new employee. - Accusative Singular)
5. Die Arbeitnehmer des Betriebs streikten für höhere Löhne. (The employees of the company went on strike for higher wages. - Nominative Plural)
6. Der Betriebsrat vertritt die Interessen der Arbeitnehmer. (The works council represents the interests of the employees. - Genitive Plural)
7. Die Geschäftsleitung sprach mit den Arbeitnehmern über die Zukunftspläne. (Management spoke with the employees about future plans. - Dative Plural)
8. Der Bonus wurde an die Arbeitnehmer ausgezahlt. (The bonus was paid out to the employees. - Accusative Plural)

📝 How to Use 'Arbeitnehmer'?

The term Arbeitnehmer is a formal and legal term frequently used in contracts, legal texts, and official documents in the context of work and employment.

• Context: Labor law (Arbeitsrecht), human resources (Personalwesen), business news, social security (Sozialversicherung).
• Distinction: While Arbeitnehmer is the general term, a distinction is sometimes made between Angestellte(r) (typically white-collar workers, often salaried) and Arbeiter (typically blue-collar or manual workers, often paid hourly wages). However, this distinction is becoming increasingly blurred today, and Arbeitnehmer is often used as a neutral collective term.
• Civil Servants (Beamte): Beamte are generally not considered Arbeitnehmer in the sense of labor law, as their service relationship is governed by public law.
• Self-Employed/Freelancers (Selbstständige/Freiberufler): These are also not Arbeitnehmer because they are not in a dependent employment relationship and are not subject to instructions. They are their own employers.

In everyday language, „Mitarbeiter“ (co-worker, staff member) or „Beschäftigter“ (employed person) are common synonyms, often perceived as less formal.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Mnemonic for the Article 'der'

Think: DER guy (the man) is the one who nehmt (takes) the Arbeit (work) -> he is der Arbeitnehmer. The '-er' ending often indicates masculine nouns for people.

Mnemonic for the Meaning 'Employee'

An Arbeitnehmer is someone who "nehmt" (takes) the Arbeit (work) from the employer, in exchange for payment. They 'take on' the work.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Arbeitnehmer

⚠️ Caution: While the synonyms are often interchangeable, they sometimes carry slightly different connotations or legal implications.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Arbeitnehmer: "Haben Sie Hobbys?" Antwortet der Arbeitnehmer: "Ja, Lohnverhandlungen!"

English: The boss asks the new employee: "Do you have any hobbies?" The employee replies: "Yes, wage negotiations!"

📜 Poem about the Arbeitnehmer

German:
Der Arbeitnehmer, früh am Start,
mit Kaffee in der Hand, ganz zart.
Er tippt und schafft, den Kopf voll Plan,
für Lohn und Brot, so ist der Wahn.
Der Chef gibt Weisung, er muss folgen,
im System, das kann ihn stolpen.
Doch leistet er, was man verlangt,
hat Rechte auch, im Vertrag benannt.

English Translation:
The employee, starting early bright,
With coffee in hand, a gentle sight.
He types and works, head full of schemes,
For wage and bread, or so it seems.
The boss gives orders, he must obey,
In the system, he might lose his way.
But he performs what is required,
Has rights as well, in contract wired.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich nehme Arbeit, geb sie nicht.
Ein Vertrag bindet mich bei Licht.
Ich folge Weisung, krieg dafür Geld,
bin Teil der großen Arbeitswelt.

Wer bin ich?
... Der Arbeitnehmer

English Translation:
I take work, I do not give it.
A contract binds me, you must admit.
I follow instructions, get paid my due,
Part of the big working world, it's true.

Who am I?
... The Employee (der Arbeitnehmer)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition

The word "Arbeitnehmer" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Arbeit: Meaning 'work' or 'labor'.
• Nehmer: Derived from the verb "nehmen" (to take), here meaning 'one who takes or receives something' (in this case, work and instructions from the employer, in exchange for wages). So, literally a 'work-taker'.

Legal Status

The status as an Arbeitnehmer establishes numerous rights and obligations regulated by German labor law (e.g., Kündigungsschutzgesetz - Protection Against Dismissal Act, Bundesurlaubsgesetz - Federal Leave Act, Entgeltfortzahlungsgesetz - Continued Remuneration Act) and social security law.