Overview
- The coalition agreement between Union and SPD proposes shifting from a daily eight-hour cap to a weekly maximum, which reports say could allow single shifts of about 12 hours if totals are balanced.
- A DGB Gute-Arbeit-Index survey of roughly 4,000 employees found 72% favor a daily limit of eight hours and 98% do not want to work beyond ten hours.
- DGB, Verdi and NGG argue longer shifts raise accident risks and harm health, pointing to increased incidents after extended hours and strain in shift-heavy sectors.
- Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas has signaled skepticism toward the weekly-hours model, leaving the reform’s outcome uncertain.
- Hospitality association Dehoga welcomes greater scheduling flexibility, contending weekly hours would remain unchanged and be coordinated with staff during peak periods.