Employees are being provided with standard eight-hour workdays and set boundaries for work hours by the DGB.
Tomorrow, the social partner dialogue on the Working Hours Act will commence, as the federal government considers shifting the design of working hours in favour of employers. However, a recent DGB-Index Gute Arbeit employee survey reveals that the majority of workers in Germany are advocating for shorter working hours and a better work-life balance.
The survey, conducted between January and May 2025, involved 4,018 employees and found that 72% want workdays with a maximum of eight hours, with nearly all respondents (98%) wanting less than ten hours per day. The DGB-Index Gute Arbeit survey signals a desire for more time outside of work, with 95% of respondents wanting to finish work by 6 pm at the latest, and only 17% of employees with children using options to work beyond 6 pm, preferring to end their workday by 7 pm at the latest.
DGB Chairperson Yasmin Fahimi stated that an abolition of the regular eight-hour day would not reflect the reality of employees. She emphasised that reducing overtime, reducing workloads, and providing sufficient time for family work, social engagement, relaxation, and private life are necessary to secure employment and counter the shortage of skilled workers.
The survey also highlights the importance of reducing the high part-time quota, as many employees already work numerous overtime hours, some of them unpaid. The DGB and its member trade unions categorically reject an abolition of the regular eight-hour day and the planned change from a daily to a weekly maximum working time.
Social partners have already agreed on flexible working hours in thousands of collective agreements, and the Working Hours Act in its current form provides sufficient scope for such flexibility. However, the DGB-Index Gute Arbeit survey serves as a reminder to politics and employers not to weaken the protection provided by the Working Hours Act.
In conclusion, the DGB-Index Gute Arbeit survey underscores the need for shorter working hours, better work-life balance, and fairer treatment of employees in Germany. As the social partner dialogue on the Working Hours Act begins, it is crucial that the voices of workers are heard and their needs are addressed to ensure a prosperous and productive workforce.
- The DGB-Index Gute Arbeit survey, conducted between January and May 2025, revealed a strong policy-and-legislation preference among workers, with 72% of respondents advocating for finance policies that limit workdays to a maximum of eight hours.
- Amidst the ongoing business discourse about the Working Hours Act, the survey findings indicate a general-news interest among employees, as nearly all respondents (98%) want less than ten hours per day, and 95% want to finish work by 6 pm at the latest.
- Politics and employers must take heed of the DGB-Index Gute Arbeit survey, which shows that the desire for a better work-life balance extends beyond the bounds of individual business interests, and includes broader social and financial concerns.
