What prerequisites are needed to implement a 4-day work week in Germany? What are the advantages and disadvantages for employees and employers? In this blog post, we want to explore these questions in detail.
Is the 4-day work week the working time model of the future?
The working world faces major challenges, particularly regarding skilled labor shortages and employee burnout. To address these issues, the discussion around reduced working hours has gained significant momentum. The 4-day work week has received increasing attention in recent years and has been positively evaluated in various pilot projects.
What employees in Germany think about the 4-day work week
Is the traditional 5-day work week soon a thing of the past? The Hans Boeckler Foundation wanted to investigate this question more closely and surveyed more than 2,500 employed individuals for their opinion. The results of this survey wave show that 80 percent of full-time employees want a 4-day work week.
The majority of employees (nearly 73 percent) would like to continue receiving the same salary. Only eight percent of respondents would accept a lower salary. About 17 percent stated that they are satisfied with their current 5-day work week model. And 2 percent of the surveyed full-time employees reported that they are already working a 4-day week.
Motivations: Why the desire for a 4-day work week keeps growing
According to the survey, the reasons for wanting a 4-day work week are diverse. The main reason is the desire for more free time -- in other words, a better work-life balance. This reason is cited by almost all respondents. The possibility of having more time for family or pursuing hobbies and volunteering activities are also important motivations for a shorter work week.
Furthermore, respondents expect a reduced workload from a 4-day work week. Pilot projects have already shown that adjusting work processes can improve both individual well-being and business productivity. This, in turn, has a positive effect on employee motivation. A better work-life balance can also help ensure that employees stay with the company longer, reducing turnover.
What forms of the 4-day work week exist?
There are two main models for the 4-day work week. In the first model, the full work volume is distributed across four days, resulting in longer working days. In the second model, working time is reduced to four days while keeping the same daily hours, with salary typically being adjusted accordingly.
Criticism, concerns & challenges of the 4-day work week
Despite many positive arguments, the introduction of a 4-day work week also presents numerous challenges:
Ultimately, the decision about working time models lies with companies and employees, as long as statutory break regulations and other labor law provisions are observed.
Master the challenges of the 4-day work week with ZEP for your company!
When introducing a 4-day work week, employers must also consider various challenges, such as the need for effective attendance planning and ensuring adequate coverage during working hours.
It is important that a careful assessment of operational requirements and appropriate planning takes place to ensure that a 4-day work week is beneficial for both the company and its employees.
The topic of time tracking plays an equally important role as in a 5-day work week. With a flexible time tracking system like ZEP, you can customize working hours and break times to fit your work schedule -- and still stay legally compliant.
Where is the 4-day work week already a success?
Internationally, the 4-day work week is trending, but in Germany the question arises whether a further reduction in working hours is necessary. At 25.9 working hours per week, including part-time, Germans already work significantly less than the EU average of 30.1 hours. Full-time employees work 40.5 hours per week, which adds nuance to the discussion about the 4-day work week.
How the concept works in the United Kingdom
In a successful pilot project in the United Kingdom, 61 companies reduced their work week from 5 to 4 days without adjusting salaries. 92 percent of employers were so satisfied that they kept the shorter work week, and 30 percent made the change permanent. Employees reported less burnout and improved physical health.
How does Iceland handle the new working time model?
Iceland introduced the 4-day work week with 35-36 working hours in pilot projects from 2015 to 2019, after the previous 44-45 hour weeks led to widespread stress and burnout. The results were impressive: productivity and service quality remained stable or improved, while the mental and physical health of employees increased significantly.
4-day work week -- Benefits in the modern workplace
Philipp Frey, a labor researcher at KIT, emphasizes that the 4-day work week leads to more motivated employees, an improved work-life balance, and easier talent acquisition. Even small improvements such as fewer sleep problems and less stress are noticeable. Additionally, research shows that longer working hours reduce productivity and increase accident risk in some industries.
Benefits for employees in focus
A 4-day work week offers a range of benefits for both employees and employers. One of the most important advantages is an improved work-life balance. With a shorter work week, employees have more free time available for personal matters, relaxation, family time, or hobbies. This can lead to higher satisfaction and an overall happier work environment.
Furthermore, it is argued that shorter work weeks can increase productivity. When employees have less time to complete their tasks, they are often more motivated, focused, and efficient. Another positive effect of a shorter work week (and the resulting longer recovery time) is the potential reduction in sick leave. Through a better work-life balance and a reduced workload, employees can reduce stress and recover better both physically and mentally.
Benefits for employers in focus
For employers, a 4-day work week -- even if it may seem unlikely at first -- also offers advantages that can contribute to a positive work environment and efficient business performance. Employee motivation and morale can be boosted by offering the option of a shortened work week.
Additionally, this option makes companies more attractive to new applicants. Flexible working time models and a good work-life balance are becoming increasingly important to employees. A shortened work week can help position the company as an attractive employer and assist in attracting talented professionals -- and, crucially, retaining them!
What disadvantages can arise from the new working time model?
Despite predominantly positive study results, there are critical voices regarding the 4-day work week, particularly concerning the macroeconomic consequences:
Productivity: Stefan Sell, Professor of Economics, points to potential productivity issues. He emphasizes that many industries may not achieve sufficient productivity gains to compensate for 20 percent less working time at the same pay.
Wages and pension entitlements: Full salary compensation could be difficult to implement, and lower wages could also reduce pension entitlements.
Undeclared work and multiple employment: Historical examples, such as the introduction of the 4-day work week at VW, show an increase in undeclared work and multiple employment.
Skilled labor shortage: Reducing working hours could exacerbate the existing skilled labor shortage, particularly in areas such as healthcare, retail, and logistics.
Philipp Frey argues, on the other hand, that the skilled labor shortage is primarily due to poor working conditions and that the 4-day work week can create better working conditions.
Conclusion
The 4-day work week offers a range of benefits that could be significant for both employees and employers in Germany. Through a shortened work week, employees could benefit from a significantly improved work-life balance, leading to more free time, less stress, and higher life satisfaction. This could have a positive impact on physical and mental health and increase productivity, as shorter working hours often go hand in hand with higher motivation and more efficient work.
For employers, the model offers the opportunity to increase the company's attractiveness, which can be a major advantage in recruiting and retaining talent. Implementing a 4-day work week could also contribute to better employee retention and a healthier work environment. Even though there are challenges, such as potential economic consequences and workflow adjustments, international experience shows that a well-thought-out introduction of the 4-day work week can lead to significant benefits.
Overall, the 4-day work week offers a promising approach to making the working world future-proof and meeting the needs of the modern workforce. Through careful planning and adaptation, companies and employees can equally benefit from the positive effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours do you work in a 4-day work week?
In a 4-day work week, working hours vary depending on the model. In the first model, the entire work volume is distributed across four days, which can lead to longer working days. In the second model, the weekly working time is distributed across four days, where the working day remains the same length, but the weekly work volume is reduced -- typically to about 35 to 36 hours per week.
Who decides on the 4-day work week?
The decision to introduce a 4-day work week typically lies with companies and their management, often in coordination with employees. Implementation can be achieved through negotiations and agreements between employers and employees, including works councils or trade unions.
What should you consider when implementing a 4-day work week?
When introducing a 4-day work week, companies should carefully review their workflows and processes to ensure that productivity is maintained. Important aspects include adapting working time models, potential impacts on employee satisfaction, and the legal framework. Additionally, the financial and operational consequences, such as possible changes in salary or work organization, should be considered.