"Not only start-ups can be innovative," says Matthias Ertl.
The master painter from Friedberg has switched his business to a four-day week - which brings many advantages.
Friedberg – Flexibility is the order of the day in business.
More and more companies are offering the four-day week.
A Gießen plumbing and heating contractor wants to make his workforce happy, in geriatric care there is a discussion as to whether a better life-work balance can be achieved in this way.
Studies show: The 4-day week lifts the spirits of the workforce, productivity and sales increase.
There were even reports from Lower Saxony that a primary school was introducing a 4-day week due to a lack of teachers;
However, the Ministry of Culture did not want to show this weakness and ended the experiment.
Friedberg master painter Matthias Ertl (53) has given a lot of thought to the 4-day week.
He read about Icelandic companies on the Internet.
“Why not with us too?” Especially since it exists.
"On major construction sites in Berlin, for example." The companies would have to come up with something to recruit employees.
"But that's the same for us," says Ertl, who runs the family business together in the third generation, reports fnp.de.
+
Colorful group who know what they want: master painter Matthias Ertl (2nd from left) with his journeymen and trainees and daughter Fabiene.
The Friedberg company switches to the 4-day week and tests more flexible working hours.
© Nicole Merz
Painting company from Hesse combines tradition with innovation
In addition to his wife Ulrike, who takes over the office as a trained tax clerk, the company employs five journeymen and three apprentices, and one young woman is among the trainees.
The painting business, which has its headquarters in Holzpförtchen, relies on tradition: Founded in 1956 by Erich Ertl, his son Winfried took over the business in 1978, which he handed over to his son Matthias in 2009.
The Ertls have two children, both teenagers.
It is quite possible that the family tradition will continue for some time.
In addition to »tradition«, »innovation« is also important to Ertl, as can be read on his website: »We use the latest environmental and health-friendly technologies, paints and coating materials.« But not only that. »People are supposed to live longer work until the age of 67.
A lot of people are wondering how they're going to get through it," says Ulrike Ertl.
"Three days of rest, during which you can reduce the stress level, is more likely," says her husband Matthias.
If the painters have to go to a construction site in Frankfurt, the journey takes two hours.
On Fridays, when you only work half the day, it's not worth it.
"In terms of climate, it's a catastrophe." Gasoline prices and environmental awareness are increasing.
If customers from Frankfurt only have to pay for the journey for four days because the craftsmen work longer on the other days, it also pays off for them.
Hesse: Switch to a 4-day week only if everyone agrees
This is how the idea of a new working time model matured.
Matthias Ertl spoke to his employees, gave them a list of the advantages and disadvantages and invited them to the works meeting.
"I only wanted to do this if everyone agrees." The reactions ranged from rather skeptical to jubilation.
In the end, everyone agreed to try it out for a year.
What are the pros and cons?
First the cons.
“The working hours are longer.” She works from Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., with two breaks, for a total of 45 minutes.
In winter it is darker longer in the mornings and evenings.
The daily rhythm changes.
Since the working week is only 38 hours, the employees earn 15 euros less per week.
If you want, you can compensate for this by working overtime, says Ertl.
Employees also get less vacation time.
That is stipulated by law;
with four working days per week, it is four fifths of the normal vacation days.
Anyone who previously had 30 days of annual leave will now only have 24.
Positive reactions from customers: "The four-day model will find imitators"
However, Ertl gives each employee an additional day off.
And - that brings us to the advantages - everyone will have more free time in a row in the future: Friday will be free in the future, and everyone will have longer rest periods due to the long weekend.
Due to the bridging days, fewer vacation days are consumed.
Private appointments such as the hairdresser or visits to the doctor can be better coordinated, there is less travel time and less fuel consumption for trips between the workshop and the construction site.
The first reactions from customers are positive.
“Many see that as progressive and reasonable.
There were no negative reactions at all.« The master painter is certain: the four-day model will find imitators.
(Juergen Wagner)
The Gießen-Friedberg Chamber of Crafts is also committed to tradition and innovation.
Overall, the Chamber sees itself well positioned for the coming decades.
List of rubrics: © Nicole Merz
