Many individuals express a preference for reducing their work hours

Many individuals express a preference for working reduced hours. - Many individuals express a desire for reduced working hours.

In a recent survey conducted by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), it was revealed that more than half of German workers prefer a shorter weekly working hours. The survey, which was published in Handelsblatt, also uncovered several reasons why workers are unsatisfied with their current working hours.

According to the survey, approximately 40% of German workers are satisfied with their current weekly working hours. However, 7% of respondents expressed a desire to work more hours per week. Among this 7%, work processes emerged as the most frequent reason for wanting to work longer hours, with 51% of respondents citing this as the primary reason.

The second most frequent reason for the discrepancy between the desire to work longer and current hours, among the same 7%, is the supervisor's refusal to increase working hours, with 36% of respondents stating this as the reason.

Rigid work processes and inflexible work structures were identified as the main obstacles preventing the majority of German workers who wish to work fewer weekly hours from doing so. Other reasons include financial reasons such as insufficient income, high workloads, and resistance from supervisors.

Interestingly, a significant difference was found between men and women in the survey: 66% of women cited insufficient money as the most frequent reason, while men cited work processes with the same percentage.

DGB Chairwoman Yasmin Fahimi criticized employers for being the problem with designing working hours, not the Working Time Act. She also stated that rigid work processes are hindering the ability of workers to work more part-time, with approximately 2.5 million workers in Germany expressing a desire to do so. However, supervisors often refuse this request.

The survey findings highlight the need for employers to address the work processes and structures that are preventing workers from achieving a better work-life balance. The survey was conducted in Berlin, Germany.