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Enterprises Lean Toward Workweek Flexibility, With 50% Advocating for a Maximum of 50 Hours Weekly

Federal government's proposal for capping weekly work hours instead of daily ones receives support from half of German businesses, according to a study by Randstad and the Ifo Institute. The survey, which polled 538 personnel decision-makers in the economy, was reported by Der Spiegel. The...

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Employers lean towards workweek flexibility, with 50% of companies advocating for a 50% cap on...
Employers lean towards workweek flexibility, with 50% of companies advocating for a 50% cap on weekly working hours.

Enterprises Lean Toward Workweek Flexibility, With 50% Advocating for a Maximum of 50 Hours Weekly

The German government's plans to switch from daily to weekly working hour limits have sparked a lively debate, with responses from personnel managers across the economy varying widely.

According to a survey conducted by Randstad and the Ifo Institute, half of German companies welcome the federal government's proposals. Companies with trust-based working hours are more strongly in favour of the change, with 60 percent expressing support, compared to 42 percent of those with fixed working hours.

However, not all respondents share the same enthusiasm. Thirty-one percent of respondents showed neutrality towards the proposed change, while eight percent expressed concerns about the potential strain on employees and challenges in organising work. Additionally, eleven percent found the topic not relevant to them.

The main reason given for welcoming the change is greater flexibility. On the other hand, critics fear that the changes could exacerbate the disadvantages faced by women in the workplace. Trade unions, such as IG Metall and Verdi, have voiced concerns about overstraining employees and increased accident risk.

Moreover, there are concerns that the new rules could be misused to extend overall working hours. Some argue that the new rules could potentially make work less family-friendly, making it harder to plan activities like picking up children from kindergarten or school.

The legal maximum limits currently apply to each workday in Germany. The switch to weekly limits aims to offer more flexibility on individual days. The trade unions, however, have criticised the plans, arguing that the change could lead to longer working weeks and increased pressure on employees.

In conclusion, while half of German companies welcome the federal government's proposals for maximum weekly working hours, there are significant concerns from trade unions and a portion of respondents. The debate continues as the government moves forward with its plans.

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