German WWII Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch

A German worker's identification document issued under the Third Reich, with a printed cover reading "Deutsches Reich" above a national eagle and wreathed emblem, and "Arbeitsbuch" below. This example presents the standard printed cover design used for the state-issued employment record book maintained for individuals in the civilian workforce.

The Arbeitsbuch was introduced in 1935 as part of state labor administration, recording an individual's employment history, occupation, and employer details, and was required for civilian employment throughout the period.

The Arbeitsbuch was introduced by the Nazi state in February 1935 under the Reich Ministry of Labour as a tool for controlling and directing the civilian workforce, particularly in support of rearmament and later wartime labour allocation. Every worker was required to hold one, with employers recording occupation, training, and employment changes, allowing authorities to track labour movement and enforce assignment to designated industries. The document reflects the broader state control over labour markets that intensified as Germany moved toward, and through, the Second World War.