Most staff members refuse extended work hours

A recent representative survey commissioned by the career network Xing has revealed that a majority of employees in Germany are not keen on working more. The poll, which involved 2,000 participants, found that around two-thirds of respondents prefer to work less.

The survey results indicate that 64 percent of respondents aged 18 to 65 do not consider overtime necessary to maintain prosperity, which is slightly more than last year when 58 percent held this view. Among those aged 55 to 65, a majority still expresses opposition to working more.

Stress, lack of time for personal activities, care work, family, friends, and relatives are the main reasons given by respondents for not wanting to work more. A significant number of respondents, 67%, wish to reduce their working hours, with those aged 25 to 34 expressing this desire most frequently (74%).

Economics Minister Katarina Reiche (CDU) is one of the recent advocates for people to work more and longer due to the shortage of skilled workers and demographic change. CDU leader Friedrich Merz has also advocated for Germans to work more hours, emphasizing increased work effort at events like the CDU Economic Day. Some experts, such as economic researchers, suggest incentives like lower taxes or reduced social security contributions to encourage voluntary extra working hours, as surveys show 72% of workers might work more if such incentives existed.

However, the survey also revealed that bonus payments and premiums are identified as the strongest motivators for voluntary overtime, followed by a significantly higher salary, additional vacation days, and tax incentives. Among respondents who do not want to work less, financial reasons and job enjoyment are cited as motivators.

The findings of this survey highlight a growing trend among German workers who prioritise work-life balance over long working hours. As the debate on work culture and labour market policies continues, it remains to be seen how this shift in attitudes will impact the German economy in the long run.