Even in his own coalition, his plans do not meet with full approval. But Minister of Labor Heil stressed that not only employers need flexibility.
Hanover (dpa) - Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil has rejected criticism of his plans for a right to work in the home office. Not only employers, but also employees need flexibility, said the SPD politician in Hanover.
"You have to balance them fairly. I also think we can do it." The considerations for a right to a home office had existed even before the Corona crisis. "The fact that individual associations are not yet so good at the subject and have actually not welcomed any innovation since the fax machine was introduced should not prevent us from doing so."
Heil emphasized that working in the home office should not lead to "delimitation of work into private life". "It cannot be that employees are available everywhere and always." Nevertheless, it is important to use positive experiences from the crisis. "I believe that there should be such opportunities in a more digitalized work society."
The chief executive of the Federation of German Employers' Associations, Steffen Kampeter, had previously rejected Heil's plans. "We need a moratorium on burdens instead of further requirements that limit growth and flexibility," said Kampeter on Sunday. There was also criticism from the coalition partner. "I am in favor of an offer for home office - but a right to home office, because I have great difficulties," said the CDU / CSU parliamentary group spokesman for the labor market, Peter Weiß, of the SWR. Heil received approval from the Greens and the FDP.