Welcome to Hochschule Geisenheim University
You will soon be starting as a member of scientific staff at Hochschule Geisenheim University.
For general information about moving to Germany, we recommend our International Student Guide. Although the guide is designed for students, it includes useful details on topics such as registering as a resident, paying radio license fees, and finding health care. If you have specific questions, your contact in the HR & HR Development department can assist you further.
The university also offers German language courses. Please contact languages(at)hs-gm.de for more information.
In order to prepare for your first day, please follow the steps below.
1. Forms to be completed before starting your new position
Before starting your new position, please fill out, sign, and submit the following forms to the HR & HR Development department.
Please note: The linked documents are in German, but we have created a translation aid that provides a description and full translation of each document in English. Please use this to help you complete the original German forms; the HR & HR Development department can only accept the German documents. If you have any questions, please get in touch with your contact in the HR & HR Development department.
Once saved to your device, the forms can be completed digitally.
| 1. Personnel Form, Declaration of court sentences, disciplinary measures and ongoing proceedings, and Annex |
| 2. Questionnaire for the assessment of social insurance obligations (for part-time employees only) |
| 3. ELStAM (electronic wage tax deduction information procedure form)* |
| 4. Secondary activity declaration |
| 5. Child benefits declaration |
| 6. Bank account details |
| 7. Determination of term duration per WissZeitVG |
* You will need to know your German tax ID number (steuerliche Identifikationsnummer) in order to complete the ELStAM form. You will receive this automatically after registering at your local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt).
In addition, please apply for an official certificate of good conduct (Führungszeugnis) at your local registration office ahead of time. You will need to request a ‘type O’ certificate to be sent to the following address:
Hochschule Geisenheim University
Abteilung Personal/Personalentwicklung
Von-Lade-Straße 1
65366 Geisenheim
The fees for this certificate unfortunately cannot be reimbursed.
2. Documents required on your first day
Please bring original copies of the following documents to the HR & HR Development department on your first day.
| 1. | Your academic certificates (school graduation certificates, bachelor's/master's degree certificates, doctoral certificates, apprenticeship certificates, references from previous employers, etc.) |
| 2. | Your birth certificate and, if applicable, your marriage certificate and/or the birth certificate(s) of your child(ren) |
| 3. | Confirmation of health insurance (Mitgliedsbescheinigung der Krankenkasse) |
| 4. | Social security ID (Sozialversicherungsausweis) |
| 5. | Disability certificate (with the details of the disability blacked out), if applicable |
| 6. | Residence and work permits, if applicable |
| 7. | Certificate of prior work in the public sector, if applicable |
| 8. | Application for capital-forming benefits program, if applicable |
3. Information to be read and formally acknowledged
Employees must read the following documents before their first day and submit an acknowledgement form to confirm that they understand each document's content.
These forms are on the first page of each document. Please complete, sign and submit them to the HR & HR Development department in advance or on your first day at the latest.
Please note: The linked documents are in German, but we have created a translation aid that describes the contents of each document in English and offers a translation of each acknowledgement form. Please use this to help you complete the original German forms; the HR & HR Development department can only accept the German documents. If you have any questions, please get in touch with your contact in the HR & HR Development department.
| 1. | Decree of Hesse's Ministry of the Interior and Sport on the formal obligation of non-Beamten (Obligation Act) of May 21 2015; Record of the formal obligation under Section 1 (1) to (3) of the Obligation Act; and an excerpt from the German Criminal Code |
| 2. | Directive of the Hessian Ministry of the Interior and Sport on preventing and combating corruption in the public administration of the State of Hesse of November 18, 2019 |
| 3. | Administrative regulation for state employees on accepting and receiving rewards, gifts and other benefits |
| 4. | Guidance on Constitutional Loyalty in the Public Service |
| 5. | Telecommunications Directive of the State of Hesse on the official and private use of telecommunications equipment in the state administration |
| 6. | Guidelines for safeguarding good scientific practice |
| 7. | Application for exemption from compulsory insurance |
| 8. | Information brochure on company pension schemes (VBL) in the public sector in German/English |
4. Additional information to be read and saved
The following files should be read through carefully and saved for your personal documents before your appointment with the HR & HR Development department on your first day. Printing these files is not necessary for your appointment.
Please note: The linked documents are in German, but we have created a translation aid that provides summaries of each document in English. Full translations are also available for the documents ‘Flexible Work Hours’ and ‘Calling in Sick and Returning to Work’. If you have any questions, please get in touch with your contact in the HR & HR Development department.
| 1. Internal Agreement on Fair Behavior in the Workplace |
| 2. Information Letter on the Assignment of Higher-Value Activities, Employment Contracts |
| 3. Information Letter on Hesse’s Non-Smoker Protection Act |
| 4. Information Letter on Company Integration Management (BEM) |
| 5. Internal Agreement on Flexible Working Hours |
| 6. Internal Agreement on Alcohol at the Workplace |
| 7. Information Letter on the Procedure for Calling in Sick and Returning to Work after an Illness |
