Cutting Back on Hours: ZF's Headquarters in Friedrichshafen Slashes Weekly Work Hours
Crisis Causes reduction in work hours for ZF's supplier workforce - Supplier experienced crisis, reduced work hours due to financial difficulties.
In a bid to tighten its financial grip, automotive juggernaut ZF will temporarily impose shorter working hours at their headquarters in Friedrichshafen. As of May 15, employees will be expected to work 32.5 hours per week, and from June 1, that number drops further to 31.5 hours permanently. An estimated 2,800 of ZF's team members will be subject to this decision, with adjusted salaries to match. The company aims to pocket a sum in the double digits of millions by implementing this strategy.
The agreement between ZF and the works council stretches until at least March 31, 2026. Negotiations regarding a four-day workweek, which was a point of contention for the works council, according to its chairman Franz-Josef Müller, are ongoing.
Arnd Hermann, the location manager, calls the decision a "solidarity solution," a move that enables a socially acceptable response to ZF's challenging circumstances. It's possible that this approach could serve as a model for other ZF facilities within Germany, though specific locations and details remain under wraps for now.
ZF, one of the world's leading auto suppliers, grappled with substantial losses last year, reporting a colossal loss of over one billion euros. By 2023, the company recovered slightly, earning 126 million euros. Nearly 94% of ZF is owned by the Zeppelin Foundation, located in the city of Friedrichshafen.
- Friedrichshafen
- Headquarters
- Works Council
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[5] "ZF: Operation Z – Temporary adjustment of work hours in Friedrichshafen." ZF Friedrichshafen AG, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.zf.com/de/unternehmen/presse/pressesprechstatten/pressemitteilungen/zf-operation-z-temporary-adjustment-of-work-hours-in-friedrichshafen-2444172
- In an effort to manage finances amidst challenging business circumstances, ZF, a prominent EC country-based automotive supplier, is implementing reduced work hours at their headquarters in Friedrichshafen, which might serve as a model for other ZF facilities within Germany.
- As part of the temporary work hour adjustment at ZF's headquarters in Friedrichshafen, the company is considering finance-friendly measures such as vocational training programs to upskill its workforce, which could help maintain productivity and business efficiency during the reduced working hours.
