German Workers Value Remote Work and Four-Day Week Over Longer Hours, Survey Shows
14.06.2026 - 05:13:11 | boerse-global.de
As Germany’s government pushes a radical overhaul of working-time rules, a new survey suggests many employees care far more about flexibility and shorter weeks than about scrapping the traditional eight-hour day.
The study by forsa, conducted on behalf of the career platform XING, polled 3,418 workers on which extra benefits matter most. Only 14 percent said working from anywhere was unimportant to them, making location-independent work one of the top perks. The four-day week was cited as a priority by 15 percent of respondents, and pay transparency by 16 percent.
Employees showed little interest in office dogs, job-sharing, workations, sabbaticals or company-provided childcare. All ranked near the bottom of the list.
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Coalition Pushes 48-Hour Weekly Cap
The survey arrives as Federal Labour Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) prepares to table a draft bill in June 2026 that would replace the current daily eight-hour maximum with a weekly cap of 48 hours. The proposed reform of Germany’s Working Hours Act has sparked fierce debate.
Friedrich Merz, the chancellor, aims to finalise a broad reform package by mid-July covering labour law, social insurance, income tax and cutting red tape. To secure the approval of the upper house, the Bundesrat, he must also negotiate with states over potential revenue shortfalls.
Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn (CDU) called on the SPD to honour the coalition agreement on working-time law. He proposed an “Aufschwung-Schwur” – a pledge to prioritise economic growth – and demanded results by the summer recess, even if cooperation with the coalition partner proves difficult.
Employers’ associations welcomed the plans, but the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) opposes any softening of the eight-hour day. DGB chair Yasmin Fahimi warned against dismantling established protections.
Scientific Warnings and Street Protests
Research backs the union position. A study by the Institute for Economic and Social Sciences (WSI) found that three-quarters of employees fear negative effects on their work-life balance if the daily limit is removed.
Marcel Fratzscher, president of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), argued the debate misses the real problem: digitalisation and bureaucracy reduction. Some flexibility can be useful, he said, but the daily upper limit must stay. Fratzscher cited studies showing that accident risk rises significantly after the eighth hour of work – especially in services, hospitality and nursing.
Over the weekend, thousands protested in Freiburg against the proposed cuts and the working-time reform. Demonstrators called instead for a 30-hour week with full wage compensation.
Home-Office Allowance Holds Steady
While the reform debate continues, employees can still claim the home-office tax allowance. It is capped at €1,260 per year, based on 210 days at €6 each. In 2025 the average tax refund under the scheme was €1,172.
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Wider Spending Cuts Loom
The working-time debate unfolds against broader austerity efforts. Health Minister Nina Warken defended plans to stabilise the statutory health insurance system. Savings of around €16 billion are meant to stave off a projected deficit next year.
Meanwhile in Austria, the government agreed on a cap for part-time retirement benefits aimed primarily at higher earners. The Social Affairs Ministry said details remain under negotiation.
