The German Green Party is spearheading a push for legislative changes to compensate for public holidays that fall on weekends, a proposal gaining traction amidst broader concerns about worker well-being and Germany’s ongoing skills shortage. Green Party parliamentary spokesperson Timon Dzienus, in comments to the “Rheinische Post”, argued that the current system, where holidays shifted to either Saturday or Sunday, represents an “unfair” burden on employees.
The proposal echoes regulations already in place across more than 85 countries, including Spain, the United Kingdom, Poland and the United States, where mechanisms exist to reschedule holidays falling on weekend days. This growing international standard is putting pressure on Germany to modernize its labor practices.
While the push initially stems from the Green Party, the initiative has found support across the political spectrum, including from Sören Pellmann, parliamentary leader of the Left Party, who flagged the issue in advance of the 2026 calendar, where a significant number of holidays are already predicted to fall on weekends.
The argument goes beyond simple convenience. Proponents emphasize that adequately observed holidays contribute directly to greater worker productivity and morale, ultimately benefiting employers. With Germany facing a severe skills shortage and grappling with the need to improve work-life balance, the rescheduling of holidays is being positioned as a key tool for attracting and retaining talent.
However, the move is not without potential challenges. Implementing a holiday rescheduling system requires complex logistical planning and could face resistance from employers wary of increased operational costs or disruption. Furthermore, the details of a potential system – whether it involves adding extra working days, consolidating holidays, or other strategies – remain to be fleshed out through parliamentary debate and negotiation. The proposal now places the German government under increased scrutiny to address a labor practice that increasingly stands in contrast to international norms.