Cologne: Ex-shop boss fights in court for life’s work

Cologne –

Johanna Dohle-Laghdir (63) from Cologne is fighting for her rights in the labor court. For almost 20 years she ran the “Zimt und Rosen eK” business with catering and spice trading in Cologne, until it was close to bankruptcy.

Then, with a heavy heart, she handed it over to a consulting firm in 2018, which takes care of buying up insolvent companies. But she continued to work for her former company as an employee.

She was terminated without notice in September 2020 and she believes she has salaries pending. What will the Cologne woman keep of her life’s work?

Cologne Labor Court: Judge persistently asks – why the dismissal?

On this gloomy Thursday morning in meeting room 300, the focus is on the termination of an employment relationship and thus at the same time the end of an activity that has meant a lot to Johanna Dohle-Laghdir for decades. The expressions in the conference room are serious and embarrassed, the windows wide open. Plexiglass panes stand between the lawyer and the client.

Judge Nadja Abou Lebdi opens the appointment and quickly gets to the point: “What is the point with the termination without notice?” Johanna Dohle-Laghdir seems nervous and is shifting restlessly on her chair from left to right. The subject hurts.

Cologne Labor Court: “Termination does not come out of the blue”

“The dismissal does not come out of the blue, Ms. Dohle-Laghdir conducted job interviews and hired staff. Why she believed that this was part of her job is beyond my imagination, ”says lawyer Vogelsang.

“My client managed the company in a leading position,” replies Dohle-Laghdir’s lawyer Oliver Viehweg, blankly. After all, personnel decisions would belong to the area of ​​responsibility.

But the lawyer of the defendant employer remains. Dohle-Laghdir violated its obligations and did not hand over documents. This behavior has already shown the character of a warning. The judge indicates that this alone is not a breach of duty in the employment relationship. “I don’t see it that way,” she says clearly.

Cologne woman hands over business insolvency advice and is terminated without notice

The insolvency consultancy “CUX Colonia” took over operations from Johanna-Dohle Laghdir in 2018. The Cologne native was initially employed in her own business in a managerial position.

As the other side says, probably a difficult situation for the Cologne woman. Because Dohle-Laghdir allegedly did not adhere to all agreements before the termination, which the plaintiff denies.

Proceedings before the labor court: Cologne woman demands three salaries

“Has the salary of 850 euros been paid to Ms. Dohle-Laghdir or not?” Asks the judge clearly. Salary had been paid. Lawyer Vogelsang replied that she was unable to make any statement about the specific amount.

But it is not a lot of money, there must be clarity about that, emphasizes the judge and insists on an answer. And then goes on to say: “It should be clear that the money has to flow.” The lawyer from Cologne adds that three salaries were not paid, and that from October would also be missing.

Cologne woman wants to keep fighting: “A lot will happen there”

Both parties reject an agreement on Thursday. One does not want to pay any money, it is said by lawyer Vogelsang and so there is no comparison. Dohle-Laghdir will go to the labor court again in April.

Until then, both parties will have to take a position on many open questions. Jackdaw Laghdir is optimistic that she will at least get her salary. Even if not her beloved former “Zimt und Rosen eK” business.

“I’m left with nothing,” she says seriously. When she leaves the courtroom, she is relieved for the first time in a very long time, full of existential worries. “I was upset, had a stomachache, I knew that there would be no agreement today. I think a lot will happen and I want to keep fighting. “

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