Termination of Employment
Object numberM2008/034:006
TitleTermination of Employment
DescriptionTwo-page typed document, in German, to employee Walter Plotke from OSRAM (a lighting fabrication company that was part of Siemens), on official letterhead. This document terminates Walter's employment there, which spanned from 13 April 1928 to 31 March 1934, though the letter is dated 18 September 1933 and he is told to be "on leave" immediately. "We have given you leave of absence until further news". He is being terminated because he is Jewish. The company offers him the opportunity to give reasons to increase the amount paid to him during his "transition". This is one of ten documents relating to Walter Plotke's employment and the anti-Jewish policies that led to his dismissal. These documents illustrate the implementation of discrimination tactics against Jews in the German workforce during the build-up to WWII.
Production placeBerlin, Germany
Production date 1933-09-18
Subjectemployment, discrimination in employment, retrenchments, pre-World War II, Pre-war life, antisemitism, enemy aliens
Object nameofficial correspondence
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 210.00 mm
height: 290.00 mm
Language
- German Mr. Walter Plotke handwritten note: returned, signed and dated 9.X.33
Ref: Your service
We regret to give notice to your contract of 13 April 1928 as of 31 March 1934, with reference to the reasons explained during our repeated verbal discussions.
We are willing to grant you an interim allowance in the form that you can withdraw your hitherto existing salaries from 1 April 1934 until 30 June 1934 at the end of each month. Should you need a larger sum in one payment from the salaries due to you until 31 March 1934 or from the interim allowance promised herewith, to create a new livelihood, we declare ourselves to be willing, if you give us valid reasons for it. We call your attention that the interim allowance is also subject to the tax deduction.
With reference to your life insurance agreement we inform you that we have covered the premiums until 31.12.33. You will have to refund them to us in monthly instalments by deduction from your salary, as before. After repayment of these premium sums you are free from the insurance stipulation and can dispose of your insurance in accordance with your own judgement. Please indicate to us your disposal for the delivery of the policy by our department Versich. The Versich is willing to advise you about the future arrangements of your life insurance.
As already informed to you, we have given you leave of absence until further news.
We have been informed about your letter to Dr. Schäfer with respect to your tenancy agreement. Mr. Schäfer shall reply to you directly.
We ask you to confirm this letter and on this occasion to return the power of attorney that had been given to you in due time.
Respectfully
OSRAM
Two signatures
Abdr. OK-Cologne
v.H./G
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ann Kirby