Shortage of skilled workers: "32-hour week is not left-wing nonsense"

Created: 07/15/2022, 08:36

By: Lisa Mayerhofer

Industry President Siegfried Russwurm sees longer working hours as a possible remedy for the shortage of skilled workers.

(Iconic image) © Christin Klose/dpa-tmn

Industry President Siegfried Russwurm sees longer working hours as a possible remedy for the shortage of skilled workers.

One entrepreneur, on the other hand, proposes a 32-hour week as a solution.

Vienna/Munich – 41 hours per week – that’s the working time of full-time employees in Germany in 2019 according to the Federal Statistical Office.

But how much working time is best – for the economy, society and the individual?

As a result of demographic change, Germany is not only threatened by a blatant shortage of skilled workers, but also by falling income from pension insurance.

Working hours: BDI President for 42-hour week

Economic researcher Michael Hüther, director of the employer-related Institute of German Economics (IW), has therefore spoken out in favor of a 42-hour week as standard working time.

Industry president Siegfried Russwurm also sees longer working hours as a possible remedy for the increasing shortage of workers.

"I personally have great sympathy for an optional increase in weekly working hours - of course with full wage compensation," said the President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) of the Funke media group.

When the baby boomers retire, Germany will lose a lot of workers - and there are already shortages in many places.

"A 42-hour week would certainly be easier to implement than a general introduction of pensions at 70," said Russwurm.

Entrepreneur: "The 32-hour week is not left-wing nonsense, but can solve the shortage of skilled workers"

Thomas Meyer, managing director of the marketing agency “Büro für interaction” in Vienna, takes a completely different approach.

He introduced the 32-hour week for all his employees four years ago.

In an interview with

, he describes this as a "logical step".

Because: In his industry there is a fight for the best specialists and he has to convince potential applicants of his company.

Despite the reduced working hours, his employees receive a higher average wage than is usual in the industry, says Meyer.

Overtime would be compensated.

According to the news portal, the company is very satisfied with its model: people are fitter and happier, and in fact there is hardly any sick leave.

In addition, the efficiency is higher compared to other companies.

That's why Meyer positions himself in an interview with

against Russwurm's 42-hour argument: "In my opinion, this argument, 'We don't have enough skilled workers, so those we have have to work longer' falls short.

The extension of working hours is purely symptomatic treatment.

There are enough studies that show how many hours employees can actually work productively a day.

What is the point of extending working hours?” The 32-hour week is “not left-wing nonsense”, but could even solve the shortage of skilled workers.

Because this is how Austria and Germany could attract skilled workers from abroad, says Meyer: "More flexible working models with fewer weekly working hours are a clear locational advantage for me today, which would attract many well-trained people." had a positive effect on recruiting: “I have little to no problems finding capable people.

The model offers tangible advantages for many realities of life, ”explains the entrepreneur to the news portal.