Trading while you work? That can quickly cost you your job!

When the DAX calls - but the boss is not enthusiastic

You're sitting in the office, the screen shows Excel - but you're secretly watching your portfolio. Because the share you bet on is currently soaring. Now sell quickly before the price collapses! But wait: are you even allowed to trade on the stock market during working hours?

The sobering answer: usually no.

Clearly, working is not trading shares

"During working hours, the boss expects work to be done," is how the well-known employment lawyer Nicole Mutschke sums it up. This means that anyone who prefers to buy or sell shares instead of answering emails risks at least a warning - and even dismissal if they do it again.

The boss pays you to work, not to speculate. And yes, even if the market is running hot right now: The stock market is not interested in your employment contract - but your employer is.

Is there no leeway at all?

Yes, a little bit. Because employment law is not always black and white. If you absolutely have to trade during trading hours, a frank discussion with your boss can help. Perhaps a solution can be found: flexible break times, a short release in particularly volatile market phases or a contractually regulated stock market excursion in between.

But beware: simply trading secretly at work? A very bad idea.

The break is yours - also for trading

Things are different during the official break. Here you can do whatever you want - eat, TikTok, or buy a few shares. Important: The break must not be used as a cover to constantly run to the depot. But if you plan cleverly and use your breaks flexibly, you can at least fit in a few trades.

Stock market expert Swetlana Eberz advises that it is best to trade when the home stock exchanges of the shares are open. For German stocks this is between 9:00 and 17:30, for US stocks even from 15:30 to 22:00 (CET). So if you are invested in tech stocks from California, you can get through the office day better - at least in theory.

Keep an eye not only on the courses, but also on the employment contract.

A securities account is not a carte blanche for multitasking during core working hours - and a cell phone is no substitute for a Wall Street license. Employers are entitled to expect that work will not be disrupted by spontaneous day trading activities.

But let's be honest: Germany could become a little more flexible. If a "share culture" is to be promoted, why not also with modern working models that integrate trading time slots - at least for those who really need it. So trading is not taboo - but during working hours only with a clear agreement. Otherwise your next trade may not go through - but your notice will.