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Still in the office in the evening: 41 percent of women also work more than they would like
Photo: SVEN SIMON / imago images
Many people work more than they want to - and those who would like to work more often cannot.
This is the result of a study on desired working hours that the Munich-based Ifo Institute carried out on behalf of the Bertelsmann Foundation.
There are more women than men among those who would like to work longer.
The proportion of underemployed women, at 17 percent, is almost twice as high as that of men - of whom only nine percent work less than desired.
According to the study, there is definitely potential for harmonizing working hours between the sexes.
"If family and work could be better combined, many women would also work more," says co-author Andreas Peichl, head of the Ifo Center for Macroeconomics and Surveys.
And that would "make sense in view of the shortage of skilled workers in Germany".
Together with Maximilian Blömer, Johanna Garnitz, Laura Gärtner and Helene Strandt, Peichl wrote the study »Between Desire and Reality.
Underemployment and overemployment on the German labor market «.
Using survey data from the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) and the Labor Market and Social Security Panel (PASS), it examines the development of actual and desired working hours since 1985 - as well as the reasons for the gap.
It is difficult for mothers to increase working hours
According to the study, mothers in particular find it difficult to realize their working time preferences.
This is mainly due to the lack of care options or the high costs for this.
On the other hand, as the authors of the study write, children and their care situation have almost no influence on the working time preferences of fathers.
This suggests that the traditional division of roles continues to dominate.
"Whether mothers want to increase or reduce their working hours, for example, is strongly influenced by the childcare options," says study author Peichl.
The corona pandemic is exacerbating the situation, according to Jörg Dräger, member of the Bertelsmann Foundation's executive board.
In addition, false incentives would have to be reduced, for example in the tax system.
The combination of spouse splitting and mini jobs means that it is often not worthwhile for second earners to take up substantial employment.
"Different working hours are one of the main reasons for the different earnings of men and women," said Dräger, the foundation's board member.
»Our analyzes show: The potential for harmonizing working hours is there.
And it is also socially imperative. "
Overall, however, according to the study, many employees in Germany want to work less: 50 percent of male and 41 percent of female employees work more than they would like.
Men worked an average of 41 hours a week and wanted 37 hours.
Women worked an average of 32 hours and wished for 30. Both groups would accept a wage cut.
A reduction in working hours does not always have to be permanent since 2019.
Read here: How can I increase part-time work again?
apr / AFP