Project time and travel time kept apart, with what counts under the ArbZG
Every trip gets a type: driving, working on the way, set by the employer or free time. The Excel file only counts what is working time and checks every day against the Working Hours Act.
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What is in the template?
Ready to use, with formulas, sample data and a legend.
- Six types as a drop-down list, four kinds of travel kept apart
- A "Working time under ArbZG" column per row
- Hours per client, per project and per type
- A daily check without free travel time
- Notes on overtime clauses and executive employees
When does the template fit?
Ideal as an interim solution or for small teams, with clear limits.
- Management consulting with on-site client work
- Tax and IT consulting with travel
- Billing travel time to the client
Two and a half hours of driving plus a full day at the client add up to more than ten hours.
In MetronHR consultants book their time in the browser or the app to client and project, and breaks under section 4 ArbZG are checked in both plans. In the Professional plan, project budgets show how much time is left.
| Excel template | MetronHR | |
|---|---|---|
| Upkeep | Manual upkeep | Automatic calculations |
| Approvals | No workflows | Approval workflow |
| Reminders | No reminders | Reminders |
| Team | Copy again for every employee | One central source for the whole team |
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Frequently asked questions
Answers on usage and legal aspects.
Question not answered here? Every step is explained in the help centre.
Send us a messageIs travel time working time?
If driving or working on the way, yes. As a passenger also when the employer sets the means of transport, times and destination and the time is not at free disposal (CJEU, 9 October 2025, C-110/24). Whoever freely uses the time as a passenger is mostly not working.
Does free travel time have to be paid?
The Working Hours Act says nothing about it. Whether it is paid is governed by the contract, a collective agreement and section 612 BGB. The template therefore keeps it, but does not count it as working time.
Is overtime covered by the salary?
A clause without an upper limit is usually invalid (Federal Labour Court, 1 September 2010, 5 AZR 517/09). The limits of the Working Hours Act apply regardless of salary, except for executive employees under section 5(3) BetrVG (section 18(1) no. 1 ArbZG).
Templates are a start. MetronHR is the answer.
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