You start the job because you need the income. The manager says the paperwork will come “next week”. Then your shifts change, your pay is unclear, overtime is not recorded, and when you ask for something in writing, the answer is vague: “Don’t worry, we’ll sort it out.”

For many workers in Europe — especially young people, migrants, seasonal staff, platform workers, hospitality employees, care workers and people in short-term jobs — the absence of a written contract can feel like a trap. You may be working, following orders and depending on the wages, but without clear written terms you may not know your rights, your notice period, your holiday entitlement or even the exact identity of your employer.

In the EU, this is not simply a private misunderstanding. Workers have rights to clear information about their job. National rules differ, but European labour law sets minimum standards designed to make work more transparent and predictable.

1. Do not assume “no contract” means “no rights”

A common fear is that without a signed contract, the worker has no protection. That is usually wrong. In many European countries, an employment relationship can exist even if nothing was signed, especially where you perform work personally, under someone else’s direction, for pay.

What matters is the reality of the work: who gives instructions, who sets the schedule, who pays you, whether you use the employer’s tools or premises, and whether you are economically dependent on the job. If those facts show employment, rights may apply even if the paperwork is missing.

The European Commission explains that EU labour law sets minimum standards on working conditions, including working time, part-time work, fixed-term work and information for workers. It also notes that national labour inspectorates and courts are responsible for enforcing these rules in practice through EU labour law and national implementation.

2. Ask for your written terms immediately

Do not wait until the relationship breaks down. Ask your employer, in writing, for your basic employment information. Keep the message polite and factual.

You can write:

Hello, could you please send me my written employment terms, including my job title, employer details, start date, pay, working hours, holiday entitlement, probation period, notice period and place of work? I would like to keep my records complete. Thank you.

Send it by email, messaging app or another channel that creates a record. If you ask only verbally, it may later be denied.

3. Know what information you should receive

Under the EU Directive on transparent and predictable working conditions, workers should receive key information about their employment relationship. The exact national form varies, but the basic idea is simple: workers should not be left guessing about essential terms.

The EU’s Directive 2019/1152 on transparent and predictable working conditions includes information rights on matters such as the identity of the employer, place of work, job description, start date, pay, working time, paid leave, notice periods, probation and training rights.

As a practical checklist, ask for written confirmation of:

• the legal name and address of the employer;
• your job title or description of work;
• your start date;
• whether the job is permanent, temporary, seasonal or fixed-term;
• your pay rate, payment date and method of payment;
• normal working hours and rules on overtime;
• holiday and paid leave entitlement;
• probation period, if any;
• notice period and dismissal rules;
• the place of work, including remote or changing locations;
• collective agreement or sector rules, where applicable.

4. Start building your own evidence file

If your employer delays or refuses written terms, begin collecting evidence. This is not about creating conflict. It is about protecting yourself if wages, hours or dismissal later become disputed.

Keep:

• screenshots of shift schedules and rota changes;
• messages assigning tasks or confirming hours;
• photos of timesheets, clock-in records or work calendars;
• bank statements showing wage payments;
• payslips, if provided;
• emails or messages from managers;
• uniform, badge or workplace access records;
• names of supervisors and colleagues who can confirm your work;
• a simple diary of days worked, start and finish times, breaks and tasks.

Write down facts while they are fresh. A short daily record can be more useful than trying to reconstruct months of work later.

5. Check whether your hours are lawful

Unclear contracts often come with unclear hours. You may be told to stay late, accept last-minute shifts, work without breaks or remain “available” without knowing whether you will be paid.

EU working-time rules set minimum health and safety protections. The European Commission states that the Working Time Directive includes rights such as a limit to weekly working time, daily and weekly rest, breaks, and paid annual leave through EU working time rules.

As a practical step, compare your real hours with what you are paid. If you regularly work before or after scheduled shifts, during unpaid “training”, through breaks, or while waiting on call, record it.

6. Be careful with “trial shifts” and unpaid training

Some employers use “trial shifts”, “training days” or “assessment periods” to obtain unpaid labour. National rules differ, but if you are performing real work that benefits the business, you may have a claim to pay.

Before accepting a trial shift, ask:

• Will this shift be paid?
• How many hours will it last?
• What tasks will I perform?
• Who will supervise me?
• When will I receive the written result or job offer?

If the answer is vague, send a message confirming your understanding. For example: “Please confirm whether tomorrow’s four-hour trial shift will be paid and at what rate.”

7. If you are called “self-employed”, check the reality

Some workers are told they are freelancers or independent contractors even though the employer controls their schedule, tasks, prices, uniform, platform access or working method. This can affect tax, social security, holiday pay, sick pay, dismissal rights and accident protection.

The label in a contract is important, but it is not always decisive. Labour authorities and courts often look at the facts. If you cannot freely choose clients, negotiate price, send a substitute, decide your working method or refuse tasks without penalty, ask for advice.

This is especially relevant for platform work, delivery, cleaning, care, construction, events, hospitality and media production, where dependent work may be presented as self-employment.

8. Ask a labour inspectorate, union or advice centre before resigning

If the situation becomes stressful, the instinct may be to leave immediately. But resigning can affect claims, unemployment benefits and evidence. Before making a decision, seek advice from a labour inspectorate, trade union, workers’ centre, legal aid office or employment lawyer.

Ask specifically:

• Do I have an employment relationship even without a written contract?
• Can I claim unpaid wages or overtime?
• What is the deadline for filing a complaint?
• Can I complain anonymously or confidentially?
• Could my immigration, residence or social security status be affected?
• What documents should I gather before taking action?

For wider context on workplace rights, The European Times has previously explained how workers can respond when employment ends suddenly in What to Do If You’re Fired Unfairly in the EU, part of its EU Rights Guide series.

9. Put wage and contract complaints in writing

If pay is missing, hours are disputed or the employer still refuses written terms, make a written complaint. Keep it short and factual.

Include:

• your name and role;
• the date you started work;
• the hours or shifts worked;
• the amount paid and the amount you believe is missing;
• the written terms you requested;
• the documents you are attaching;
• a clear request for correction by a specific date.

Avoid insults or threats. The aim is to create a clear record that can be shown to an authority if needed.

10. Escalate to the correct national body

If the employer does not respond, contact the relevant national body. Depending on the country, this may be a labour inspectorate, employment tribunal, workplace relations commission, social security authority, tax authority, equality body or civil court.

Use official websites. Search for your country’s labour inspectorate or employment rights authority. If discrimination is involved — for example because of sex, age, disability, religion, ethnic origin, nationality or pregnancy — contact the national equality body as well.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights provides information on equality and non-discrimination across the EU, including the role of national equality bodies and rights protections in employment through EU equality and non-discrimination resources.

Data box: written work rights in Europe

Practical checklist: what to do this week

• Ask your employer in writing for your written terms.
• Save your rota, messages, payslips and payment records.
• Keep a daily record of hours worked and breaks taken.
• Check whether trial shifts or training were paid.
• Compare your actual hours with your pay.
• Ask whether you are correctly classified as employed or self-employed.
• Contact a union, labour inspectorate or advice centre before resigning.
• Submit a written complaint if pay or contract information is missing.
• Escalate to the national employment authority if the employer does not respond.

The rights-based bottom line

A written contract is not a luxury. It is the basic map of a working life: who employs you, what you are paid, when you work, how you can rest, and what happens if the job ends. Without it, the imbalance between worker and employer becomes sharper.

But the absence of paperwork does not erase the reality of work. If you are doing the job, following instructions and depending on the wage, you may already have rights. The safest response is practical: ask in writing, document everything, seek advice early and use the national enforcement route before the problem becomes harder to prove.

.

Scientologists in Germany carried out community initiatives in Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart and Bavaria, focusing on drug-prevention education, human-rights awareness, peacebuilding and volunteer service.

KINGNEWSWIRE // PRESS RELEASE // BERLIN, Germany – 28 May 2026 – Scientologists in Germany carried out a series of community-based social and constitutional initiatives in 2025 and 2026, with activities focused on drug prevention, human-rights education, peacebuilding and volunteer service. The work reflects a broader pattern of public outreach by Churches of Scientology, missions and volunteers in German cities including Hamburg, Munich, Berlin and Stuttgart.

The activities are part of international social betterment programmes supported by the Church of Scientology and inspired by its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. In Germany, they have taken the form of public information stands, open houses, educational events, interreligious discussions, volunteer assistance and the distribution of prevention materials in response to local and national concerns.

In Hamburg, volunteers connected with the Church of Scientology Hamburg held a public information stand at the end of February 2026 for the initiative “Sag Nein zu Drogen, Sag Ja zum Leben” – “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life.” The volunteers distributed over a thousand drug-education booklets and recorded dozens of drug-free pledges. On 1 March, the church also held an open house presenting the work of Scientology Volunteer Ministers and recognising two Hamburg volunteers for their service in humanitarian programmes.

The activity took place against a serious public-health background. Federal figures for 2024 recorded 2,137 deaths in Germany as a result of illegal drug use. They also pointed to a 14 percent increase in drug-related deaths among people under 30, a rise in deaths involving synthetic opioids and new psychoactive substances, and growing concern over mixed consumption. In that context, the Hamburg initiative placed emphasis on prevention through accessible educational materials and direct contact with the public.

Hamburg was also the setting for two related human-rights and peace events in late 2025. On 19 September, the Church of Scientology Hamburg held an open house for the International Day of Peace. The programme focused on the connection between peace, human rights and civic education, with information on Youth for Human Rights and United for Human Rights. An evening discussion brought together representatives of different religious communities to exchange views on the contribution of faith communities to peace, respect and social cohesion.

On 12 December 2025, Hamburg Scientologists marked Human Rights Day with an open house and charity concert. The event presented the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through displays and short educational films. It also connected the theme of human dignity with Article 25 of the Declaration, which addresses the right to an adequate standard of living, including access to basic necessities. Donations collected through the concert were intended to support the construction of a well in Guinea-Bissau, linking human-rights education with practical humanitarian support.

Munich provides another local example of the same prevention work in Bavaria. Volunteers with the “Sag Nein zu Drogen, Sag Ja zum Leben” initiative carried out drug-prevention outreach in Munich, including information activity near Sendlinger Tor, and held a seminar on drug education. A further March activity focused on encouraging young people to live drug-free. Together with the Hamburg activities, the Munich examples show how the campaign has been carried out in different German cities.

The same prevention message was visible during the UEFA European Championship in Germany, held from 14 June to 14 July 2024. Volunteers from Scientology Churches and Missions across Germany and their partners reached football supporters and the wider public around championship locations. They distributed drug-education materials from Foundation for a Drug-Free World, set up stands and mobile exhibits, and encouraged people to learn more about the effects of commonly abused substances.

Human-rights education has also been part of Scientology social activity in Germany. In January 2024, the Church of Scientology Berlin marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with an art exhibition and poetry reading at its Public Information Centre on Otto-Suhr-Allee. The programme focused on freedom of expression and used paintings and poetry to present the language of human rights in a cultural setting.

Volunteer service has also been visible in moments of public need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Scientology Volunteer Ministers in Germany distributed “Stay Well” booklets in cities including Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Karlsruhe, Munich and Ulm, helping neighbours, local businesses and community spaces understand basic prevention measures. In Stuttgart, Volunteer Ministers handed out thousands of “Stay Well” booklets to businesses and residents and provided sanitisation assistance to a local mosque during the pandemic period.

In 2021, after severe flooding affected parts of Germany, Volunteer Ministers from the Church of Scientology Munich travelled to a community in the Bavarian Alps, coordinated with the fire brigade, cleaned homes, helped residents salvage belongings and delivered clothing, shoes and toys to a family that had lost nearly everything.

“These examples reflect the social value of steady, practical help,” said Ivan Arjona, representative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations. “Drug-prevention education, human-rights awareness and volunteer assistance are not abstract ideas. They are ways in which citizens contribute to dignity, responsibility and solidarity – values deeply rooted in Europe’s democratic and human-rights traditions.”

The campaigns supported by Scientologists in Germany are linked to international initiatives backed by the Church of Scientology. Foundation for a Drug-Free World provides drug-education materials used by volunteers in many countries. Youth for Human Rights and United for Human Rights promote public understanding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Scientology Volunteer Ministers programme, developed from the writings of L. Ron Hubbard, is based on the principle that individuals can be trained and organised to provide practical help in times of need.

For European observers, the German examples are significant because they show a religious community contributing to civic life through education and service in areas of shared public concern. The activities are local in form but broader in meaning: they touch on youth prevention, public understanding of rights, interreligious dialogue, emergency assistance and the place of minority communities within democratic society.

The Church of Scientology, its churches, missions, groups and members are present across the European continent. Scientology Europe reports a continent-wide presence through more than 140 churches, missions and affiliated groups in at least 27 European nations, alongside thousands of community-based social betterment and reform initiatives focused on education, prevention and neighbourhood-level support, inspired by the work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Within Europe’s diverse national frameworks for religion, the Church’s recognitions continue to expand, with administrative and judicial authorities in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Slovakia and others, as well as the European Court of Human Rights, having addressed and acknowledged Scientology communities as protected by the national and international provisions of Freedom of Religion or belief.

Natural health is becoming one of Europe’s most important public conversations. But the term is often misunderstood. It can refer to healthy eating, exercise, sleep, herbal medicine, supplements, stress reduction, prevention, or integrative care. The real question is not whether health should be “natural” or “medical”, but whether people can make informed, safe and science-based choices that improve their lives.

Across Europe, more people are asking a simple question: how can I stay well before I become ill?

That question is reshaping the world of health. It is visible in the rise of nutrition advice, herbal products, food supplements, mindfulness, sleep tracking, fitness culture, nature-based wellbeing, preventive medicine and integrative health clinics. It is also visible in the growing public frustration with health systems that often intervene late, when chronic illness is already established.

But “natural health” is not a single field. It is a wide and sometimes confusing landscape. At its best, it helps people understand prevention, lifestyle and wellbeing. At its worst, it becomes a marketing label used to sell exaggerated promises.

Europe now needs a more mature conversation: one that values prevention, respects traditional knowledge, protects consumers, and keeps science at the centre.

Natural health is not the opposite of medicine

One of the most common misunderstandings is that natural health means rejecting conventional medicine. That is a mistake.

Modern medicine is essential for diagnosis, emergency care, surgery, infectious disease, cancer treatment, chronic disease management and many other areas. Natural health should not be presented as a substitute for medical care. Rather, it is most useful when it supports prevention, resilience and daily wellbeing.

In practical terms, this means asking how food, movement, sleep, stress, social connection and safe traditional practices can help reduce risk and improve quality of life. This approach is close to the priorities already promoted by major public-health institutions. The European Commission’s “Healthier Together” initiative, for example, focuses on reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and mental-health conditions.

That matters because many of Europe’s biggest health challenges are not caused by a single infection or one sudden event. They are linked to long-term patterns: poor diet, inactivity, tobacco, alcohol, stress, pollution, loneliness and unequal access to healthy living conditions.

As The European Times recently noted in its coverage of Europe’s public-health blind spot, diet-related disease, obesity and metabolic disorders are now central to the continent’s health future. Natural health, when properly understood, belongs inside that larger discussion.

What people usually mean by “natural health”

The phrase can mean different things depending on who uses it. For some people, it means eating more whole foods and fewer ultra-processed products. For others, it means using herbal teas, vitamins, probiotics or traditional remedies. For others still, it means yoga, meditation, walking in nature, reducing stress or avoiding unnecessary medication.

These are not all the same. A Mediterranean-style meal, a vitamin D supplement, an herbal extract, a breathing exercise and an unregulated online “detox” programme belong to very different categories.

A helpful way to understand natural health is to divide it into five areas:

• Lifestyle health: food, movement, sleep, stress management and social connection.
• Preventive health: reducing the risk of chronic disease before it develops.
• Traditional and herbal practices: remedies and systems of care with historical or cultural roots.
• Supplements and functional products: vitamins, minerals, probiotics, botanical extracts and other products sold for health support.
• Integrative care: approaches that combine conventional medicine with evidence-informed complementary practices.

This distinction is important because each area has a different level of evidence, a different risk profile and a different regulatory framework.

The strongest evidence is often the least exotic

The most reliable natural-health advice is not usually the most glamorous. It is also not new.

The World Health Organization’s guidance on healthy diets continues to emphasise basic principles: eat a variety of foods, include vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and whole grains, and limit excess salt, free sugars, saturated fats and industrial trans fats.

Similarly, WHO recommends that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, or an equivalent amount of vigorous activity, with muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days per week.

This may sound simple, but it is powerful. A daily walk, regular strength training, better sleep, less alcohol, more fibre and a calmer nervous system can do more for long-term health than many expensive wellness products.

That does not mean supplements or herbal remedies are useless. Some can be helpful in specific situations. But the foundation remains lifestyle. A supplement cannot compensate for a permanently poor diet, chronic sleep deprivation, inactivity or unmanaged stress.

The supplement question: useful tool or wellness trap?

Europe has a large and growing market for food supplements. Many people use vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3, probiotics, collagen, iron, zinc or botanical products. Some do so because of a diagnosed deficiency. Others take them “just in case”.

The difficulty is that supplements sit in a space between food, health and commerce. They can be useful, but they are also easy to oversell.

At EU level, food supplements are regulated under Directive 2002/46/EC, which covers vitamins, minerals and labelling requirements. Health claims made on foods are also governed by EU rules on nutrition and health claims.

In plain language, this means companies should not be free to claim that a product cures, prevents or treats disease unless such a claim is legally authorised and scientifically supported.

Consumers, however, often see attractive language rather than regulatory nuance. Words such as “immune support”, “detox”, “balance”, “vitality” or “natural energy” can sound scientific without always telling the full story. One of the most useful skills for European consumers is learning to ask: what exactly is being claimed, and has that claim been properly assessed?

Herbal medicine: tradition deserves respect, but not blind trust

Herbal medicine is one of the oldest parts of natural health. Europe has a long tradition of using plants such as chamomile, valerian, peppermint, St John’s wort, sage, thyme and many others.

But “herbal” does not automatically mean safe. Plants contain active compounds. They can have effects, side effects and interactions with medicines. St John’s wort, for example, is well known for interacting with several prescription drugs.

The European regulatory system recognises this complexity. The European Medicines Agency provides a framework for herbal medicinal products, including traditional-use registration and herbal monographs.

This is the right kind of balance. Traditional knowledge should not be dismissed simply because it is old. But neither should it be accepted without evidence, quality control and safety checks.

The same balance appears in the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, which calls for stronger evidence, safety, regulation and appropriate integration of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine into health systems.

That message is important: the future is not superstition versus science. The future is evidence, safety and respect for people’s choices.

Why natural health is becoming more important in Europe

Several forces are driving interest in natural health.

First, Europe is ageing. Older populations are more likely to live with chronic conditions, mobility challenges, medication use and concerns about cognitive health. Prevention and healthy ageing are becoming public priorities.

Second, health systems are under pressure. Waiting lists, workforce shortages and rising costs make prevention more attractive. Keeping people healthier for longer is not only good for individuals; it is necessary for the sustainability of health systems.

Third, people want more control over their health. Many do not want to wait until illness appears. They want to understand food, sleep, stress, inflammation, hormones, digestion and energy. This curiosity can be positive when guided by reliable information.

Fourth, the pandemic years changed public awareness. Immunity, vitamin D, mental health, outdoor activity and resilience became everyday topics. Some of that interest was constructive. Some of it also opened the door to misinformation.

Finally, climate and environment are changing the health conversation. Heat, air pollution, urban design, green spaces and food systems are now part of public health. Walking, cycling, access to parks and healthier cities are natural-health issues as much as environmental ones.

The main danger: replacing evidence with identity

The greatest risk in natural health is not that people drink herbal tea or take magnesium. The greatest risk is when health choices become identity battles.

Some people are told that “natural” always means good and “synthetic” always means bad. Others are told that every complementary practice is irrational. Both positions are too simplistic.

The serious approach is more demanding. It asks:

• What is the health problem?
• Is there a diagnosis?
• What is the evidence for this intervention?
• What are the possible risks or interactions?
• Is the product properly labelled and regulated?
• Is the claim realistic?
• Could delaying medical care cause harm?

These questions do not destroy natural health. They make it safer and more credible.

A practical rule for readers

A good rule is this: the more serious the health condition, the more important it is to involve a qualified health professional.

Natural health can be very useful for general wellbeing, prevention and daily habits. But unexplained weight loss, chest pain, severe fatigue, persistent pain, bleeding, depression, neurological symptoms, suspected infection or any sudden change in health should not be managed through online wellness advice.

Likewise, pregnant women, children, older people, people with chronic diseases and those taking prescription medication should be especially careful with supplements and herbal products.

Natural health should empower people, not isolate them from proper care.

The European opportunity

Europe has an opportunity to define a more trustworthy model of natural health.

That model should be neither cynical nor naïve. It should recognise that many people are looking for prevention, meaning, vitality and more personal responsibility. It should also recognise that the wellness market can exploit fear, insecurity and confusion.

A European approach should be built on five principles:

• Prevention first: food, movement, sleep, stress and social connection should be treated as core health issues.
• Evidence matters: claims should be tested, not merely repeated.
• Safety is essential: natural products can still cause harm or interact with medicines.
• Consumers need clarity: labels and health claims must be understandable.
• Integration should be responsible: complementary practices should support, not replace, appropriate medical care.

This is where natural health can become a serious public-health ally rather than a confusing marketplace.

Natural health needs trust

Natural health is not a trend that can be dismissed. It reflects real concerns: chronic disease, stress, ageing, overmedication, unhealthy food environments, loneliness and the desire to live better for longer.

But the future of natural health in Europe depends on trust.

Trust requires honesty about what works, what might work, what is unproven and what is unsafe. It requires respect for tradition without abandoning science. It requires health professionals who listen, regulators who protect consumers, and citizens who are not treated as passive patients or easy customers.

The best version of natural health is not anti-science. It is not anti-medicine. It is the everyday science of living well — with food, movement, rest, nature, community and careful use of products that are safe, necessary and properly understood.

That is the conversation Europe now needs.