According to a survey conducted by Forsa for “Stern” and RTL, a majority of Germans are in favor of moving away from the current rigid eight-hour daily workday limit. The poll revealed that 57% of respondents support abolishing this regulation in favor of introducing a weekly maximum working hour framework. This new model would allow individuals to work longer hours on specific days and compensate by working fewer hours on others. Conversely, 41% of people opposed such a change, and 2% were undecided.
The current daily limitation of working hours is considered a major historical achievement of the labor movement, designed to ensure sufficient time for personal rest. However, critics of the proposed reform warn that the shift could lead to working days extending up to 13 hours, potentially increasing health issues among employees and further complicating the balance between professional life and family responsibilities.
Advocates for the flexible model argue that the German working model is no longer adequate for modern needs. They point out that the European Working Time Directive allows for a maximum of 48 hours per week. Furthermore, the desire for daily working hour flexibility is dominant even among employees with salaried positions, with 56% finding a working hour reform necessary.
To prevent overwork, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has specifically called for mandatory digital recording of working hours, a measure included in the government’s coalition agreement. Interestingly, both residents of Eastern Germany and many members of labor unions, particularly supporters of the Left-wing party, expressed opposition to the proposed flexibilization of current working hour regulations.
The survey’s precise question asked respondents: “Are you in favor of abolishing the maximum working day of eight hours and instead implementing a maximum working week?” The Institute for Public Opinion, Forsa, collected responses from 1,004 Germans during the polls conducted on May 14th and 15th.