So far in 2018, there have been more than 44 million people in employment in Germany. The vast majority of them work either full-time or part-time. But what new ideas and regulations are there regarding working hours?
Full-time employment is defined as working between 36 and 40 hours per week. The standard arrangement is to work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, provided no overtime is worked. This is because, with 1.7 billion hours of overtime in 2017, Germany is well ahead of the pack when it comes to overtime.
However, too much work can have both mental and physical consequences. This has long been common knowledge. More than half of all employees already complain of back and joint problems. Exhaustion comes in second place. Headaches take third place.
But what can be done about it? Is it possible to reduce working hours by 20 per cent whilst keeping salaries the same? One study has already shown that around 18 million people in this country would be happy to work fewer hours.
That is exactly what a New Zealand company tested for two months. They introduced a four-day working week. A team of researchers from the University of Auckland monitored the trial. The only condition for the employees was that they had to meet their weekly work targets.
The result of this test was clear. The employees were more productive and happier than before. Stress levels also fell significantly.
Admittedly, at first glance it does seem paradoxical. A four-day week can, after all, present a number of hidden problems. For example, staff costs rise because more staff are needed. Nevertheless, researchers believe that savings are possible.
Another way of reducing the working hours for a full-time role is to introduce a six-hour working day on full pay. After all, people can be just as productive in six hours as they are in eight. Studies have already shown that many people can only really concentrate on their work for a few hours a day.
Some companies have even tried out a six-hour working day. And with success. Their turnover increased.
However, here too, the higher staff costs represent a major drawback.
The second type of working arrangement is part-time work. In the next article Find out more.
About the author
After completing his degree in Automotive Engineering and Industrial Engineering, he began his career in the automotive industry in the fields of sales, development and marketing, and also spent a year in Japan working for one of the largest automotive suppliers.
He then moved to a world-renowned premium car manufacturer, where he served as a marketing officer responsible for product marketing in Japan and South America, and as a marketing officer responsible for marketing strategy in North and South America.
In 1994, he decided to set up his own business and founded a recruitment consultancy in Munich, which he has been developing and expanding for over 20 years. As managing director, his main areas of focus are, naturally, the automotive sector and mechanical and plant engineering.
His PhD in the field of aptitude assessment perfectly complements his areas of expertise, particularly with regard to HR and management consultancy. His thesis focuses on identifying and demonstrating typical personality traits among engineers, as well as defining areas for development to ensure a successful career.
These are scientifically derived and presented in the book *Aptitude Testing in Practice*.
At the same time, his focus is on building networks and cooperation models, as well as the ongoing development of systems and processes in HR consultancy.
Over the past 20 years in the field of HR consultancy, he has developed several brands that continue to operate successfully in the market to this day.
