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Criticism Mounts Over Proposed Work-Hour Relaxation
Experts in labor law have voiced sharp criticism against the German federal government's plans to weaken the legal daily maximum working hours, as stated in a coalition agreement between Union and SPD. Per the Hugo Sinzheimer Institute for Labor Law, the plan would permit daily working hours that exceed twelve hours.
Overtime has been scientifically linked to potential health risks, such as burnout, strokes, and cancer, according to experts. Additionally, it increases the risk of accidents and can negatively impact work-life balance.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently described the proposal as an instrument offering more freedom, stating, "We are granting employees and businesses more flexibility through a weekly, rather than a daily, maximum working time."
However, Amélie Sutterer-Kipping, an expert at the institute, cautioned against a deregulation of working hours disregarding findings in occupational medicine and labor research, and disregarding social realities. She argued that this could be economically counterproductive, potentially impeding developments that have led to record employment and working hours in recent years while exacerbating health and demographic issues.
It should be noted that the proposed change in the law would shift the focus from a daily maximum working time to a weekly maximum working time, currently anchored at eight hours per day, allowable under certain conditions up to ten hours daily.
Recent labor market successes, including record employment numbers and overall working hours, can partly be attributed to more women joining the workforce.
While the proposed relaxation of work hours is divisive, labor law experts and health and safety professionals express concern about the potential exploitation of vulnerable workers, increased rates of burnout and mental health disorders, and workplace accidents caused by extended work hours and fatigue.
- Community policy discussions surrounding the proposed relaxation of work hours in Germany have raised concerns from labor law experts, as an adjusted policy may disregard findings in occupational medicine and labor research, potentially exacerbating health and demographic issues.
- Vocational training programs could play a crucial role in helping workers manage their health and well-being, as overtime and extended work hours have been linked to various health risks, such as burnout, strokes, and cancer.
- Policy-and-legislation debates involving workplace-wellness and general-news outlets should consider the potential impact of the proposed relaxation on vulnerable workers, increased rates of burnout and mental health disorders, and workplace accidents caused by extended work hours and fatigue.
