Overtime in the debate on working hours

With her call for an increase in working life, Economics Minister Katherina Reiche has reignited the debate on longer working hours. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz had already called for more and more efficient work at the CDU Economic Day in the spring. However, such demands are met not only with political resistance, but also with opposition from experts.

This is because labor market data paints a more nuanced picture than some attributions would suggest. Although a third of all jobs in Germany are currently part-time, making Germany one of the frontrunners in Europe, the image of part-time workers as “low performers” is too simplistic. The main reason for part-time employment is often unpaid care work, such as raising children or caring for relatives, which is performed by women at an above-average rate. Instead of blanket overtime, experts are calling for a more differentiated approach and, above all, reforms for better childcare, the abolition of incentives for the “traditional” division of roles, such as joint taxation for married couples, and more flexible working hours.

We were also interested in these topics:

• Overtime as the norm: Overtime is part of everyday working life for many German employees. According to the Federal Statistical Office, a total of 4.4 million employees worked overtime in 2024, which corresponds to 11% of the workforce. For most, the amount of overtime was limited to a few hours per week, but 15% worked at least 15 hours of overtime per week.

• “Creating diversity”: Foundations are unique institutions that shape and advance society as important catalysts. Nevertheless, diversity in the German foundation landscape lags far behind social reality. With its “Creating Diversity” program, the Deutschlandstiftung Integration (DSI) aims to strengthen diversity in the foundation sector and, in cooperation with a large number of partners from the sector, offers internships for direct collaboration. The application period ends on August 31.

• Obstacles to career change: Former NGO employees and political workers face particular challenges when switching to the private sector, reports the FAZ. While professional history can make the transition difficult, for example when job changers are strongly influenced by their political views, the skills of the political work environment are always in demand.

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