According to a special analysis of the “Good Work” index from the German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB), roughly 40 % of public‑sector employees routinely work overtime. Of those, 22 % average one to five overtime hours each week, while another 17 % work more than five hours beyond what is contractually agreed.
Many are dissatisfied with their hours: 56 % of the surveyed public‑service workers wish they could work less. Among civil servants the sentiment is even stronger-65 % say they long for a lighter workload. The index shows that 33 % of civil servants clock more than 40 hours a week, and an additional 11 % work over 48 hours every week. Altogether, 65 % of respondents from the public sector work 35 hours or more each week.
Elke Hannack, deputy chair of the DGB, remarked that demands for less part‑time and longer working hours feel like a slap in the face to those who have been working at the limit for years. She also criticised the planned abolition of the eight‑hour workday, calling it a wrong signal. “Those who regularly push overtime, take on extra shifts and accept health risks do not need guidance on how to do even more” she added.
The survey-part of the DGB “Good Work” employee questionnaire-received data from more than 1,300 public‑service employees. In total, the public sector employs over 5.3 million people, including roughly 1.8 million civil servants and judges. Thirty‑five percent of public‑sector workers are employed part‑time.