Union lack of emphasis on the four-day workweek
Germany's Four-Day Workweek Plans Shelved Due to Economic Struggles
May 28, 2025, 5:00 AM
As businesses grapple with rising prices and limited orders, the prospect of a four-day workweek for employees in Germany appears to be fading. IG Metall, one of the country's largest labor unions, has abandoned the idea due to the bleak economic landscape. But, how do other unions respond, and is the four-day workweek off the table for them as well?
By Sarah Bötscher, AKTUELL
- The surge in discussion surrounding work hours is considered populist by the DGB Saxony.
- Some industries already operate with flexible working hours thanks to collective agreements.
- Many employees express a desire for greater flexibility.
In the current economic climate, it's often employers who are shortening work hours, and according to IG Metall chief Christiane Benner, this comes at a cost to employees. Consequently, a four-day week with full pay is not currently on the union's agenda.
Markus Schlimbach, chairman of the Saxon German Trade Union Confederation, views the debate as overheated: "This is a media-driven frenzy about something that has been known for years. And, of course, there are differing opinions within industries – and that's quite normal. There are sectors where collective agreements and working hours are set more extensively, while in others they are shorter."
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DGB Saxony: Discussion About Insufficient Work is Populism
According to Saxony's DGB leader, the economic predicament has no bearing on the ongoing debate. Schlimbach attributes this to populism, especially in reference to the general secretary of the CDU. He believes Carsten Linnemann overlooks blue-collar workers when advocating for reduced working hours.
Flexible Collective Agreements Exist Already
Stephanie Albrecht-Suliak, regional head of the Industrial Union of Mining, Chemistry, and Energy, supports this sentiment. She points out that some industries already boast collective agreements with adaptable working hour models.
Crafts: What's Possible and What's Not with the Four-Day Week
- Working one day less for the same pay increases satisfaction and productivity. However, there are industries where this model is difficult or impossible to implement.
- Are Employees Really Pushed for a Four-Day Week?
According to a researcher at the German Institute for Employment Research, many employees would prefer to work fewer hours overall, but not necessarily a four-day workweek. A comprehensive four-day workweek in Germany would reduce the hourly capacity in the economy by 15 percent, which may not be possible at present due to economic constraints.
- Work Time: Two Entrepreneurs from Saxony-Anhalt Share Their Experiences with the Four-Day Week
Many companies are skeptical of the four-day workweek. A survey by the employer-friendly Institute of the German Economy from March indicates that 94 percent of almost 800 companies surveyed anticipate economic losses. However, most have yet to trial the four-day week.
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In response to Germany's economic struggles, discussions about work hours have been labeled as populist by the DGB Saxony. Despite some industries operating with flexible working hours due to collective agreements, a comprehensive four-day workweek with full pay is not currently being considered by the union IG Metall, as suggested by IG Metall chief Christiane Benner.
