Germany's Part-Time Quota and the Working Hours Debate: A Clash of Interests
Germany's Debated Part-Time Work Requirement - Discussion Surrounding Work Hours in Germany - Elevated Part-Time Employment Rates in Germany Sparking Discussion on Work Hours
In the realm of European Union countries, Germany flaunts one of the highest part-time employment rates. In 2024, a staggering 29% of the workforce between 15 to 64 years old were part-timers, according to data from the European Labour Force Survey, as published by the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden [1]. Only Netherlands (43%) and Austria (31%) boast higher part-time quotas, while the EU average hovers at 18% [1].
Gender plays a significant role in this picture, with women more than four times as likely to clock part-time hours compared to men (48% versus 12%) [1]. However, this trend is smaller at the EU level [1].
As whispers of financial strain grow louder in Germany, calls for extended working hours and reduced part-time positions have intensified [1]. Business associations and managers argue that this is the key to preserving prosperity [1].
The German Federal Government has proposed a shift from daily to weekly maximum working time – an idea that has trade unions grimacing, considering it a death knell for the eight-hour workday [1]. A recent survey of employees in Germany hints at reservations regarding weakening the daily maximum working time [1].
Germany's working hours barely trail behind the EU average, with full-time workers clocking 40.2 hours per week [1]. Over the last ten years, working hours have seen a subtle decline in both Germany and the EU [1]. Moreover, boasting a higher part-time employment rate coincides with a higher employment rate in Germany. In 2024, 77% of the population aged 15 to 64 were employed, a record significantly exceeding the EU employment rate of 71% [1]. Employment among women reached a remarkable 74%, even clocking in 8 percentage points above the EU average [1].
"Germany's high employment rate among women represents a positive development," asserted Yvonne Lott, work-time expert at the Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut of the trade union-affiliated Hans-Böckler-Stiftung. "The Federal Government can capitalize on this by reinforcing the compatibility of work and family, for example, through smart working time models that promote flexible and moderate daily working hours" [1]. Conversely, proposals to abolish the daily maximum working time seem ill-advised. "Excessively long daily working hours make it challenging for people with care responsibilities to maintain employment" [1].
Despite the reservations, a recent survey by the Institute for Employment Research of the Federal Employment Agency (IAB) revealed that 73% of employees in Germany voice opposition to unlimited daily working hours [1]. While 34% of respondents would be open to working more than ten hours a day on specific days [1], considerable concerns remain about unchecked daily working hours [1].
Interestingly, 45% of full-time employees express willingness to work overtime if granted a tax-free bonus [1]. The youngest age group (up to 30 years) is more inclined (60%) to boost their overtime hours due to such a bonus compared to the 37% older age group over 60 [1]. Among part-time workers, approximately 33% could consider a permanent hour increase – an average of six hours per week – if presented with the opportunity of a bonus [1]. Younger part-time workers (under 30 years) are more inclined (48%) to increase their hours, as opposed to just 24% of those over age 60 [1].
- Part-time Quota
- Part-time
- Germany
- EU
- Women
- Federal Government
- Netherlands
- Austria
- Men
- Despite the high part-time quota in Germany, the Federal Government is proposing a shift towards weekly maximum working hours, causing apprehension among trade unions who view it as a potential threat to the eight-hour workday.
- In the European Union, only the Netherlands and Austria have higher part-time quotas than Germany, with women significantly more likely to work part-time compared to men in Germany.
- As the German Federal Government contemplates policies to enhance the compatibility of work and family, such as flexible and moderate daily working hours, many employees express opposition to unlimited daily working hours, particularly younger full- and part-time workers who view tax-free bonuses for overtime work as a viable option to increase their hours.
