The following article by Dr Alexander Insam and Frank-Karl Heuchemer deals with the new case law of the Federal Social Court on the imposition of blocking periods by the employment agencies when concluding termination agreements. The article is based on a ruling by the Federal Social Court of 18 December 2003 (Ref.: B 11 AL 35/03 R), which overturns the previously prevailing opinion that the termination agreement is preferable in terms of social security law when employment relationships are terminated by mutual agreement.