New Coalition Proposal: The Eight-Hour Workday Faces Uncertainty

The traditional eight-hour workday may soon become a relic of the past as the coalition government of the Union and SPD proposes a shift in labor regulations. According to the coalition agreement, the intention is to allow for a weekly maximum working time instead of a daily cap, aiming to enhance the balance between work and family life.

Under the new plan, employees could potentially work ten-hour days from Monday to Thursday, thereby gaining extended weekends off from Friday to Sunday. Importantly, the total number of contracted hours would remain unchanged; only the distribution of those hours would become more flexible.

This proposal has garnered positive responses from various sectors of the economy. For instance, the retail industry believes that such flexibility would enable better responses to peak business days. Stefan Genth, head of the Retail Association, noted that employees could coordinate with their employers to adjust their schedules according to their personal circumstances.

Similar sentiments are echoed in the hospitality sector, where flexibility in working hours could lead to more efficient operations. The Central Association of the German Construction Industry has also voiced support, suggesting that adaptable working hours could help complete construction projects more efficiently and mitigate delays.

Furthermore, the Gesamtmetall Employers' Association considers a weekly working time cap as both practical and achievable, acknowledging that the demands of customers in the metal and electrical industries have evolved. Employees have different expectations regarding how and when they wish to fulfill their work obligations.

However, not all sectors view this initiative positively. The implementation of flexible hours poses challenges for professions like teaching and general practice. Nicola Buhlinger-Göpfarth, head of the General Practitioners' Association, pointed out the impracticality of closing practices at will, stating that the workload on staff in busy medical settings is already immense.

Concerns have also been raised by the German Philologists' Association, which warns against the potential for further erosion of working hours in the teaching profession, emphasizing that teaching cannot be easily quantified by daily or weekly metrics.

Strong opposition comes from the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), which argues that instead of alleviating pressures on hardworking individuals, this shift could lead many to the brink of collapse. Anja Piel, a DGB board member, expressed concerns about the already excessive hours faced by employees in hospitals, nursing homes, and delivery services, where long working hours are coupled with demanding workloads.