The Potential Dangers of Extended Workdays: Weekly Working Time Could Mean 12-Hour Shifts, According to Analysis
Research: Shift to 'weekly work schedule' yields 12-hour workdays on a regular basis - Intensive Work Schedule: Recent Research Suggests Average Workday Lengthens to 12 Hours in Adopted Week Structure
There's a heated debate on the horizon: the proposed switch to a weekly working time could stretch your workdays to an astounding 12 hours and 15 minutes, a grim prediction according to the Hans Böckler Foundation's analysis by the Hugo Sinzheimer Institute for Labor Law (HSI). The outcome could be a host of health risks, increased sick days, and increased pressure on families. To top it off, the change may even be economically counterproductive. Employer associations, however, aren't so worried.
The federal government, as mentioned in the coalition agreement, envisions the possibility of a "weekly instead of a daily maximum working time." But don't worry, the existing rest period regulations will remain, mandating at least 11 hours between two shifts, along with 45 minutes of break time during the workday. Despite this, the option of a workday longer than 12 hours still may be on the table.
Trade unions have been up in arms against the departure from the eight-hour day established in 1918. Yasmin Fahimi, the DGB chief, has once again expressed her concerns in the "Rheinische Post." According to her, the change aims to legitimize questionable business practices, such as regular 12-hour shifts among subcontractors in the parcel service or the lack of rest periods in the hotel and catering industry.
The analysis by the HSI highlights the following dire warnings:
Health Concerns
- Working longer than 8 hours has been proven to pose significant health risks, often leading to stress-related illnesses and psychological issues. These, in turn, result in higher absenteeism and early retirement.
- The accident risk increases after the 8th hour of work, not only at the workplace but also during the commute home.
- Despite the coalition agreement's promise to maintain high standards in occupational safety, employees may be forced to work longer hours against their will.
Impact on Work-Life Balance
- Short, frequent breaks throughout the day contribute to work-life balance and predictability. A switch to weekly working hours may result in fewer regular breaks, negatively impacting work-life balance.
- Women could experience a further reduction in working hours due to the change.
Despite the concerns, the Federal Association of German Employers' Associations (BDA) maintains that the risks will be excluded through the continued obligation to grant rest periods. They argue that a new legal framework would not change individually or collectively agreed working hours.
The HSI acknowledges that the current law already allows, under specific conditions, workdays of up to 10 hours. Furthermore, they mention that total working hours of dependent employees in Germany in 2023 were higher than in 1991. However, the reason for this lies in the fact that nearly a third of employees worked part-time in 2023, resulting in a comparatively low average weekly working time of 34.7 hours.
Many people view the coalition's plans less critically than the trade unions. A YouGov survey shows that 38% of respondents support the proposal to replace the daily maximum working time with a weekly one. On the contrary, 20% oppose the plan, while 37% remain neutral. Supporters hope to work 4 days of 10 hours instead of 5 days of 8, thus having an extended weekend.
Side Effects of Extended Workdays
- Increased Sedentary Behavior: Longer work hours can lead to more sedentary behavior, which is linked to higher risks of heart disease, obesity, and depression.
- Sleep Deprivation: Extended work periods can disrupt sleep patterns, potentially leading to chronic sleep deprivation, which is associated with various health issues.
- Stress and Burnout: Prolonged work hours can lead to increased stress levels, potentially resulting in burnout, which affects both physical and mental health.
While the exact analysis by the Hugo Sinzheimer Institute for Labor Law (HSI) is not available, it's clear that the proposed change to weekly working hours could have severe implications for workers' health and work-life balance. With health risks, increased stress levels, and reduced job satisfaction looming on the horizon, it's crucial to carefully consider the pros and cons before making a decision.
- The political discussion about switching to a weekly working time raises concerns, as it could potentially extend workdays to 12 hours, leading to numerous health risks such as stress-related illnesses, increased sick days, and reduced work-life balance.
- The proposed change would have an impact on various sectors, including workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness, where longer workdays could contribute to increased sedentary behavior, sleep deprivation, and stress levels, ultimately affecting employees' physical and mental health.
- While some view the proposal to replace the daily maximum working time with a weekly one favorably due to the potential for extended weekends, there are concerns in the general-news arena that the switch could legitimize questionable business practices, particularly in industries where regular 12-hour shifts and lack of rest periods are common, such as parcel services and hotels. Additionally, the increased work hours could further exacerbate the disparity between male and female working hours.
