Reduced Work Hours Desired by Many Workers: Reasons, Exceptions, and Insights

In a comprehensive survey conducted by the DGB-Index Gute Arbeit, over 4,000 employees (excluding apprentices) from various sectors shared their thoughts on their current working conditions from January to May.

The survey revealed that rigid work processes are a significant hindrance for those who wish to work more hours. Interestingly, the survey did not provide new statistics on the number of satisfied or unsatisfied workers regarding their current working hours.

One of the key findings was that the most common reason for working more than desired is work processes, affecting 63% of respondents. This was consistent across both men and women, with men citing work processes as the primary reason for wanting to work more (63%), while insufficient money was the most common reason among women (66%).

Another significant issue highlighted by the survey was the rejection of requests for increased working hours from part-time employees by supervisors. This issue is particularly pertinent as approximately 2.5 million part-time employees in Germany expressed a desire to work more.

DGB chairwoman Yasmin Fahimi criticised the problem with designing working hours, stating that it often lies with the employers themselves, rather than the Working Hours Act. She emphasised that money is not always the driving factor for employees seeking to work more, with 59% of participants stating that the money would not be enough for them.

The survey also found that many participants felt that the work would not be manageable otherwise (60%), and that more than half of German workers (53%) wish for a shorter weekly working time. However, the survey did not provide any new statistics on the percentage of workers who wish for a shorter weekly working time.

Despite the challenges, some companies in Germany offer flexible part-time models, including options to increase weekly working hours, often aligning with sector-specific needs like retail and gastronomy. Around 31% of employees in Germany work part-time, with about 50% of women and 13% of men in part-time roles.

In conclusion, the DGB-Index Gute Arbeit survey provides valuable insights into the desires and challenges faced by German workers in terms of working hours. It highlights the need for employers to address rigid work processes and consider the requests of their employees for flexible working arrangements.