Many people express a preference for working fewer hours
In a recent survey conducted by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) for their "Gute Arbeit" index, 4,018 workers (excluding apprentices) were polled over the period of January to May. The survey aimed to shed light on the current state of working hours in Germany.
One of the key findings was that 40% of German workers are satisfied with their current work hours. However, the survey did not find the Working Hours Act to be a problem in shaping working hours, as DGB Chairwoman Yasmin Fahimi pointed out. Instead, Fahimi criticized employers for being the problem, citing rigid workplace procedures as a major hindrance.
Indeed, 51% of the 7% who wish to work more hours cited workplace procedures as the most common reason for their inability to do so. Men were more likely to blame workplace procedures (66%), while women were more likely to cite insufficient money as the main reason (66%).
The survey also revealed that many respondents stated that work wouldn't get done otherwise, with 60% expressing this view. The second most common reason for the 7% who wish to work more hours is supervisors rejecting an increase in working hours (36%).
Interestingly, 53% of German workers expressed a desire for a shorter workweek. This desire for a reduced workload is not unique to those satisfied with their current hours, as even among those wishing to work more, 47% also expressed a preference for shorter workweeks.
The survey results do not provide the name of the supervisor who rejects overtime work for the 7% of respondents wanting to work more. However, it's worth noting that approximately 2.5 million part-time workers in Germany would like to work more hours.
In conclusion, while many German workers are content with their current work hours, there is a significant portion of the workforce that wishes to work more. The survey findings suggest that rigid workplace procedures and financial constraints are major obstacles for these workers. The DGB Chairwoman does not believe that the Working Hours Act is the problem in shaping working hours, instead calling on employers to address the issues highlighted by the survey.
