A Longer Week Ahead? The Repercussions of Proposed Weekly Working Time Policy
Research Findings: Shift to "Weekly Work Hours" Leads to 12-Hour Daily Workdays - Research Findings: Weekly Workload Reveals Average Day Length of 12 Hours
It appears the shift towards the weekly working time is on the horizon, according to an analysis by the Hugo Sinzheimer Institute for Labor Law (HSI), backed by the Hans-Böckler Foundation. The proposed change could lead to workdays of up to 12 hours and 15 minutes, potentially causing a host of issues - health risks, family disruptions, and economic ramifications. Yet, employers remain unfazed.
The coalition agreement outlines the government's intention to introduce a "weekly instead of a daily maximum working time." Notably, the existing rest period regulations are set to remain, ensuring at least 11 hours between shifts and scheduling 45 minutes of break time during the workday. However, exceeding a 12-hour workday is still an option.
Trade unions have vigorously protested against the departure from the traditional 8-hour workday, a standard established since 1918. DGB chief Yasmin Fahimi voiced her concerns, claiming it caters to "dubious business models" and is detrimental to both employees and their families.
Health Risks
From a work medicine perspective, it's been proven that working more than eight hours can pose health threats. This often results in stress-related and psychological problems, leading to absenteeism and early retirement from work. Also, the accident risk increases after the eighth hour of work, both on site and during travel home.
Family Impacts
The coalition agreement asserts that the change would promote better reconciliation of work and family life. However, the HSI analysis disputes this, stating that predictable and schedulable working hours are crucial for this balance and there's a risk of reduced working hours, predominantly among women.
The Federal Association of German Employers' Associations (BDA) maintains their stance by stating that many employees desire flexibility due to family reasons, risks would be minimized by the continued requirement for rest periods, and changes to the framework would not impact agreed working hours.
Economic Implications
The HSI experts emphasize that the current labor law already allows for workdays of up to 10 hours under certain conditions. Moreover, the total working hours of dependent employees in Germany in 2023, at 54.59 billion hours, were significantly higher than the level of 52.2 billion hours in 1991. However, the average hours worked by employees decreased from approximately 1,478 hours in 1991 to 1,295 hours in 2023, due to an increase in part-time work. Despite this, weakening the Working Hours Act would not improve the situation, contend HSI authors.
Many respondents support the coalition's plans, while trade unions oppose them. A recent YouGov poll found that 38% of respondents supported the proposal to replace daily with weekly maximum working time, while 20% rejected it, and 37% remained neutral. Those in favor of weekly working time hope to work four 10-hour shifts instead of five 8-hour ones and enjoy an extended weekend.
Overarching Concerns
The proposed 12-hour workdays could lead to significant health risks for employees, negative impacts on family life, and substantial economic consequences for employers and society at large. Extending daily hours could breach occupational safety standards, increase workplace accidents, mental health-related absences, and absenteeism costs. It could also impact employee productivity, satisfaction, and demand for support services like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). The strain on mental and physical health would require employers to navigate increased complexity and potential legal risks.
| Area | Key Concerns ||----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| Health Risks | Burnout, mental illness, physical strain, increased sick leave || Family Impacts | Reduced family/leisure time, work-life imbalance, increased domestic stress || Economic Impacts | Higher absenteeism costs, legal complexities, lower productivity, EAP demand |
In light of these concerns, a thorough reevaluation of the proposed weekly working time policy and its potential implications is necessary to ensure the well-being of Germany's workforce, families, and employers.
- The proposed weekly working time policy, which entails an extended workday of up to 12 hours and 15 minutes, could lead to significant finance-related implications for employers, as increased absenteeism costs, legal complexities, and lower productivity may arise due to the prevalence of health risks, such as burnout, mental illness, and physical strain.
- In the realm of politics and general-news, the debate surrounding the weekly working time policy is gaining traction, with some businesses advocating for its implementation due to the potential for four 10-hour shifts instead of five 8-hour ones, offering an extended weekend. However, vocational training associations and trade unions remain steadfast in their opposition, citing concern about the negative impact on vocational training, employee health, and family life.
