According to a recent survey, the four-day week is also very popular among employees in Germany. The prerequisite, however, is that wages and salaries do not fall as a result. This was the result of a representative survey published on Monday by the Hans Böckler Foundation, which is close to the trade union. On the other hand, the interest of the employees in a reduction in working hours with falling wages is rather low.
More than 2,500 employees subject to social security contributions were interviewed for the representative survey. Almost 73 percent of those surveyed stated that they only wanted a reduction in working hours if the wages were the same. Eight percent of those in employment would also reduce their working hours if the wages were lower as a result. 17 percent of respondents rejected a four-day week. Two percent stated that they only had to work four days.
Almost without exception, those surveyed who wanted a four-day week gave the reason they wanted to have more time for themselves and their families. However, three out of four also stated that they wanted to reduce their own workload.
Anyone who rejected a four-day week in principle gave the reason that they enjoy their work. Often, however, the feeling that nothing would change in the work processes or that the work could not be done in a shorter time also played a role. After all, half justified the refusal by not being able to afford such a step financially. A third feared that if they insisted on the four-day week, they would not get ahead professionally.
Homepage of the Hans Böckler Foundation
