Survey: Most Germans Oppose Working 48 Hours a Week 0 12

A significant majority of the population in Germany is not ready to switch to a 48-hour work week. These are the results of a representative survey conducted by the International University (IU Internationale Hochschule), published on Thursday, February 5, reports DW.

According to this data, 73.5% of respondents believe that working 48 hours a week would have a "negative" or "very negative" impact on their lives. Respondents argued that, in this case, they would have too little time left for family, friends, hobbies, or sports. Additionally, there were concerns about deterioration in physical or mental health.

Preferred Employment Model: Full-Time

At the same time, the preferred model of work turned out to be full-time employment, or 35-40 hours a week. 44.7% of respondents indicated that this type of employment best suits their life situation. The next most popular option is a four-day work week, or 32 hours while maintaining full pay (33.9%). The classic model of part-time employment with less than 35 hours a week is preferred by 18.5% of respondents.

In recent weeks, there has been a discussion in Germany about the possibility of increasing the length of the work week, as well as about legally granting the right to part-time employment. Currently, German labor law allows for a maximum working time of 48 hours over six days a week.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, in 2024, the average working time per week for residents of Germany was 34.3 hours.

"The Demand to Work Longer is Short-Sighted"

Labor expert from the International University Malte Martensen, commenting on the study results, expressed surprise at how greatly the opinions of the country's residents diverge from those expressed in political discourse. "In times of crises, simple answers to complex economic questions are reflexively sought. However, to say that people simply need to work more is short-sighted," he states.

In this regard, Martensen reminds us that there are still issues in Germany with kindergartens and the organization of care for the elderly or infirm, making longer working hours simply incompatible with the realities of everyday life.