As of: March 6, 2024, 7:56 a.m
By: Sina Alonso Garcia
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A pilot project for a 4-day week is currently running in Germany.
45 companies nationwide are testing the model.
Entrepreneur Wolfgang Grupp is critical of such initiatives - and speaks out against them in a discussion group.
Burladingen – Only work four days a week and still be just as productive?
And live healthier and happier at the same time?
What sounds rather unrealistic at first glance is actually quite possible, according to studies.
As several international studies have shown, reducing working hours while maintaining salary can have numerous positive influences.
More and more business experts believe in the future of the 4-day week.
Since February 1, 2024, 45 companies from Germany have been testing the 4-day week for several months.
But what do business representatives say about this and which companies could actually implement such a model?
In the SWR program
To the point!
In Baden-Württemberg,
former Trigema boss Wolfgang Grupp recently discussed the 4-day week with other interviewees.
Also guests of presenter Alexandra Gondorf: employer representative Stefan Wolf, New Work expert Gregor Kalchthaler and 4-day week fan Sascha Wagner.
As usual, Wolfgang Grupp took a conservative standpoint and declared the model doomed to failure.
Wolfgang Grupp is convinced: “If we perform less, there will be no more prosperity.”
Entrepreneur Wolfgang Grupp doesn't think much of the 4-day week model.
© Bernd Weißbrod/dpa
“A four-day week with full wage compensation – that’s ridiculous,” says Wolfgang Grupp.
“We can only have one thing: if we perform less, there will be no more prosperity.
Unless we have other machines that, in principle, provide the performance and replace people.” At Trigema, it is true that some part-time workers work there - but you “can’t say” that they are working on the machine anymore get out than those who work full time.”
This is even measurable.
Instead of a 4-day week, Trigema relies on other incentives, says Grupp.
For example, everyone who wants to work at Trigema is hired, offers secure jobs and part-time models and does not require short-time work.
The children of employees are also guaranteed a training place at Trigema.
In addition, according to Grupp, the following applies in the company: those who do more will also get paid more.
The ex-Trigema boss cannot imagine that the same thing will be achieved in four days as in five.
He is not alone
with his attitude on the
SWR show.
Total metal boss Stefan Wolf also rejects the model.
Such a system is simply not functional in his industry with a 24-hour workload with three shifts per day.
Wolf goes even further: Germany is no longer competitive - also due to factors such as bureaucracy, taxes and energy prices.
Instead of reducing working hours, he advocates working more than 40 hours per week.
35 hours wouldn't be nearly enough.
Employers view the 4-day week critically: “Out of the question”
Other players in the German economy also see it similarly to Grupp and Wolf.
Mercedes boss Ola Källenius, for example, spoke out against a 4-day week.
For some traditional companies, the 4-day week “with full wage compensation is out of the question”.
Others see this as an opportunity to create incentives for potential workers and to increase employee motivation through greater flexibility.
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But how does the 4-day week really affect the work performance of employees in practice?
The pilot project currently underway is intended to provide answers.
The project runs until August and is accompanied by scientific surveys at regular intervals.
The evaluation and publication of the results is planned for October 2024.
As part of the study, the 100:80:100 model
previously used by the non-profit organization
4 Day Week Global will be implemented.
In concrete terms, this means: 100 percent salary with 80 percent working hours for the commitment to 100 percent of the work performance.
Is a 4-day week realistic?
Tests are supposed to provide answers
Whether a switch to a modern model such as the 4-day week can be successful?
Experience will tell.
According to researchers, a 4-day week is entirely possible without the company having to cope with a drop in performance.
However, such a model is not easily feasible for every company.
As is often the case in life: “It depends.”