The Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA) is urging the German government to consider adjustments to regulations governing rest periods, complementing ongoing discussions regarding greater flexibility in the standard eight-hour workday.
BDA President Rainer Dulger, in remarks to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” argued for a further liberalization of rest period stipulations, stating there remains potential for improvement in this area. He dismissed concerns voiced by trade unions suggesting that more flexible working hour arrangements could lead to increased burdens for employees. Dulger questioned the rationale behind such apprehensions, asserting, “What’s the problem if I work more hours on one day, as long as I can compensate for that within the same week?
The current legal maximum weekly working hours in Germany is set at 48. Dulger emphasized that the proposed adjustments to the eight-hour workday are intended to facilitate adaptation to evolving life circumstances, rather than to increase overall working hours. The BDA’s proposal aims to provide businesses with greater operational adaptability while ensuring employee well-being through a balanced approach to working time management.