Proposed Research: Government Contemplates Allowing Extended 12-Hour Work Shifts
Government's Proposed Weekly Maximum Working Hours May Lead to 12-Hour Workdays
According to a study by the Hugo Sinzheimer Institute for Labor Law (HSI) of the Hans-Böckler Foundation, the government's proposal for a simplified weekly maximum working time could facilitate workdays exceeding 12 hours. The research, published on Friday, indicates that with minimal rest periods and breaks, workers could potentially work up to 12 hours and 15 minutes per day.
The proposed restrictions on daily working hours would remain in effect only through minimum rest times and breaks, the researchers clarified. The HSI experts, Amélie Sutterer-Kipping and Laurens Brandt, caution that a significant relaxation of daily working hours could exacerbate health problems among employees.
Current legal provisions already offer considerable flexibility, the HSI researchers explained, expressing concern about possible further deterioration in work-life balance, especially for women, as it may restrict their participation in the labor market.
The experts asserted that more "influence on the distribution of working hours" would be beneficial for employees in maintaining a work-life balance. However, they believe the introduction of a simple weekly working time is premature and might not address the issue of equitable care work effectively.
Presently, employees' daily working hours are capped at eight hours, extendable to a maximum of ten hours in exceptional circumstances, with compensatory measures. A weekly working time limit of 48 hours also exists, with exceptions. As per the coalition agreement between Union and SPD, a weekly maximum working time is set to replace the 8-hour day rule.
The health and work-life balance implications of extended workdays are significant. Workers may face increased fatigue, decreased sleep, higher risks of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and mental health issues. Moreover, longer shifts often result in reduced personal and family time, making it difficult for them to manage daily responsibilities and leading to stress and reduced quality of life.
References:1. American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Long work hours and excessive workloads. Retrieved from APA – Long work hours2. European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. (2019). Fatigue at work. Retrieved from EU-OSHA – Fatigue at work3. Health and Safety Executive. (n.d.). Working Time Regulations 1998. Retrieved from HSE – Working Time Regulations4. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Burn-out. Retrieved from WHO – Burn-out
- The government's proposed weekly maximum working hours, as part of the community policy, may necessitate finance for additional vocational training for workers to manage longer workdays, ensuring they can handle increased workloads and maintain their health.
- In the realm of general-news, the debate on the government's proposed working hours policy has sparked discussions in politics and business, with concerns raised about potentially negative impacts on employees' work-life balance and health, as well as the potential need for adjustments in vocational training to equip workers for 12-hour workdays.
