die  Freistellung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfʁaɪ̯ʃtɛlʊŋ/

📜 What does "die Freistellung" mean?

Die Freistellung is a feminine noun primarily meaning release or exemption from an obligation or duty. Its specific meaning often depends on the context:

• In Employment Law: This is the most common use. Freistellung means an employee is released from their duty to work. This can be paid (e.g., after giving notice, until the end of the contract - often called 'garden leave' or 'gardening leave' in English) or unpaid (e.g., for a sabbatical). It's sometimes referred to as Suspendierung (suspension), especially for disciplinary reasons.
• In Tax/Administrative Law: Here, Freistellung means exemption from a payment obligation (e.g., Steuerfreistellung - tax exemption) or other requirements. A key example is the Freistellungsauftrag, an exemption order submitted to a bank to exempt capital gains up to a certain amount from taxation.
• General Meaning: The release or exemption from any kind of responsibility or obligation, e.g., die Freistellung von der Teilnahme an einer Veranstaltung (exemption from participating in an event).

🚨 As a feminine noun, the article is always die.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Freistellung

"Die Freistellung" is a feminine noun. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.

📝 Example Sentences:

1. Der Arbeitgeber gewährte ihm die Freistellung bis zum Ende der Kündigungsfrist.
   (The employer granted him release from work until the end of the notice period.)
2. Sie beantragte eine unbezahlte Freistellung für ein Jahr.
   (She applied for an unpaid leave of absence for one year.)
3. Dank des Freistellungsauftrags blieben die Zinsen steuerfrei.
   (Thanks to the exemption order, the interest remained tax-free.)
4. Es gibt verschiedene Arten von Freistellungen im deutschen Recht.
   (There are various types of exemptions in German law.)

💡 How to Use "Freistellung"?

• Work Context: Very common in connection with terminations (Kündigungen), mutual separation agreements (Aufhebungsverträge), or special leave (Sonderurlaub). Common phrases are "jemanden freistellen" (to release someone from duty/put someone on garden leave) or "eine Freistellung erhalten/beantragen" (to receive/apply for a release/leave). It's often specified whether the Freistellung is widerruflich (revocable) or unwiderruflich (irrevocable) and whether it's bezahlt (paid) or unbezahlt (unpaid).
• Finance/Tax Context: Used for the Freistellungsauftrag (capital gains tax exemption order) or the Freistellung (exemption) from specific taxes or fees.
• Legal/Administrative Context: Exemption from legal duties or requirements under certain conditions.

Comparison:

• Beurlaubung: Similar, but usually refers to leave like vacation (Erholungsurlaub) or special leave (Sonderurlaub). A Freistellung can be a Beurlaubung, but the term Freistellung is broader and often used post-termination.
• Suspendierung: Often has negative connotations, meaning a temporary suspension from duty, usually for disciplinary reasons.
• Befreiung: More general term for exemption; Freistellung is a specific type, often in a formal or legal context.

🧠 Mnemonics for Freistellung

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in '-ung' sound like a gong hitting 'she' - they are feminine! So it's 'die Freistellung'. 🔔

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of 'frei' (free) and 'Stellung' (position/placing). Freistellung 'places' you in a 'free' position – free from work or other duties! 🕊️

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Words like Urlaub (vacation/holiday) aren't perfect synonyms, as Freistellung often has a specific legal context (e.g., post-termination garden leave).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den Mitarbeiter: "Möchten Sie eine sofortige Freistellung oder lieber eine Gehaltserhöhung?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Chef, bei dem Gehalt ist die Freistellung doch schon inklusive, oder?" 😉

Translation:
The boss asks the employee: "Would you prefer an immediate release from work (Freistellung) or rather a pay rise?"
The employee replies: "Boss, with this salary, isn't the release from work already included?" 😉

📜 A Little Poem

Die Arbeit ruft, der Tag ist lang,
doch plötzlich endet der Gesang.
Der Chef, er spricht das Zauberwort,
schickt dich von deinem Arbeitsort.

Die Freistellung, welch ein Klang,
mal süßer Lohn, mal banger Zwang.
Ob freiwillig, ob's sein muss,
ein neuer Abschnitt, kein Verdruss?

Translation:
The work calls, the day is long,
but suddenly the song ends.
The boss, he speaks the magic word,
sends you from your place of work.

Die Freistellung, what a sound,
sometimes sweet reward, sometimes anxious compulsion.
Whether voluntary, whether it must be,
a new chapter, no annoyance?

❓ Riddle Time

Ich nehm' dir deine Arbeitspflicht,
ob mit Gehalt, das weiß man nicht.
Im Recht und auch im Steuerstand,
bin ich als Befreiung wohlbekannt.

Wer oder was bin ich? (Lösung: die Freistellung)

Translation:
I take away your duty to work,
whether with pay, one doesn't know for sure.
In law and also in tax matters,
I am well known as an exemption.

Who or what am I?
(Solution: die Freistellung)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Freistellung" is a compound noun formed from:

• frei: Adjective meaning 'free', independent, unbound, without obligation.
• Stellung: Noun derived from the verb "stellen" (to put, place, set). Here in the sense of 'placing into a state' or 'giving a position'.

Together, the meaning is: To put someone or something into a state of freedom (from an obligation).

Trivia:

• The specific details of a Freistellung (e.g., offsetting vacation days, permission for secondary employment) are often subjects of employment law agreements or disputes in Germany.
• The term is also used in sports when a coach or player is relieved of their duties.