Unlimited Hours at Work: Germans Voice Opposition, Aging Factors Matter
The vast majority of residents in the Community strongly oppose the concept of endless working hours.
Germany, a nation renowned for its rigorous work ethic, has thrown a spanner in the works by suggesting more flexible work hours. A survey conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) indicates that most employees are against unlimited daily work hours.
The survey revealed that 73% of employees vehemently oppose unlimited work hours, while 34% of them seem open to working beyond the conventional 10-hour limit on certain days. This is according to a poll by the Institute for Employment Research of the Federal Employment Agency (IAB) in Nuremberg.
Interestingly, generations diverge on their willingness to break the regular work schedule. While 60% of the under-30 age group is open to increasing overtime in the presence of a tax-free bonus, only 37% of the over-60 age group feel the same.
The current coalition government, formed by Union and SPD, envisions measures aimed at enhancing workforce flexibility. These initiatives include tax relief for overtime and incentives to bolster part-time employment.
Let's dive a bit deeper into the issue of part-time employment, which is more prominent in Germany than in most EU countries. In 2024, 29% of working-age individuals between 15 to 64 years were part-time employees, according to European Labour Force Survey data from the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden. Only the Netherlands (43%) and Austria (31%) had higher part-time percentages.
gifts_emotions: joy if part-time employees were offered a bonus, around 33% of them might consider working extra hours on a permanent basis - an average increase of six hours per week. Yet, age seems to play a decisive role here too: while 48% of those under 30 would be more willing to work additional hours, only 24% of those aged over 60 feel similarly.
Jens Stegmaier, a researcher at IAB, commented that the efficacy of incentives for part-time work depends on the target demographic and persistent barriers, such as childcare issues.
This survey was conducted online between April 12 and May 11, 2023, gathering insights from around 3,800 socially insured employees aged 18 to 65.
Health Risks and Work-Life Balance
Prolonged work hours, especially at night, can pose potential health risks. Germany's Working Hours Act restricts employees from working more than 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week, with some exceptions[1]. If it's determined that night work is harmful to one's health, employers are mandated to transfer employees to day shifts[1].
While tax-free bonuses may compel employees to work overtime, the existing legal framework and the focus on work-life balance within the country's culture would likely shape how these bonuses are utilized across age groups.
Germany showcases impressive productivity despite shorter working hours, thanks to a commitment to maintaining work-life balance[5]. As such, tax-free bonuses might incentivize overtime, but how they are integrated into existing work-life balance policies and overtime regulations will significantly impact their implementation and acceptance among employees.
[1] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/arb__g/BJNR312200901001.html[4] https://www.idi.nthomunster.de/de/themen/ illegal_activities/raubhutewerke/[5] https://data.oecd.org/lprdty/gdp-per-hour-worked.htm
- The current German government, with a focus on enhancing workforce flexibility, is considering measures such as tax relief for overtime and incentives to boost part-time employment, which could potentially increase the number of hours worked by part-time employees if offered a bonus, according to a survey by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB).
- In the context of the debate over work-life balance and shorter working hours in Germany, the acceptance and implementation of tax-free bonuses for overtime may be influenced by the existing legal framework, the focus on work-life balance within the country's culture, and the varying attitudes towards working extra hours across different age groups, as revealed in the survey conducted by the IAB.
