Germany Considers Controversial Working Hours Act Change
The German government is considering a controversial amendment to the Working Hours Act. The proposed change aims to abolish the daily maximum workday login of eight or ten hours, replacing it with a weekly maximum. Critics warn of potential risks to health, work-life balance, and gender equality.
Currently, 12% of employees already work longer than ten hours at a stretch, according to a new study by the Institute for Economic and Social Research (WSI). Additionally, 38% have fragmented workdays, working later than 7 pm to complete their workload. This could make workdays of more than ten hours, or even over twelve hours, possible under the new amendment.
The amendment has sparked concerns among employees. 73% fear that workdays beyond the ten-hour mark will negatively affect their ability to switch off and recover. Experts demand reforms to prevent health damage, negative impacts on family life, and inequality. They suggest extending parental leave, improving conditions for caregiving relatives, reforming partial retirement rules, and ensuring flexible working hours are used consensually. Women are disproportionately affected, as they often take on more unpaid care work and household tasks.
The proposed amendment aims to provide more flexibility for companies, as welcomed by employer associations. However, it also raises concerns about increased accident risks, burnout, exhaustion, and cardiovascular diseases. The debate highlights the need for a balanced approach that considers both employee well-being and business needs.
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