Three days at the weekend – according to a Forsa survey, that’s what many German employees want. In Belgium, the four-day week is already possible. Is Germany following suit now?
In Belgium, the four-day week with the same working hours was decided – a majority in Germany is also in favor of it. According to a Forsa survey commissioned by RTL and ntv, 71 percent of those surveyed would welcome Germany adopting this model.
22 percent would not like this option, as stated in a statement from the broadcaster on Saturday. The “Belgian model” met with approval above all among 30 to 44 year olds (81 percent) and those surveyed with a higher educational qualification (high school diploma, university degree: 75 percent).
Flexible working time model in Belgium
In Belgium, employees will in future be able to work their weekly working hours flexibly on four or five days a week. However, the total working time does not change. Full-time workers should be allowed to work longer hours so that all required hours can be worked in four days. For example, a full-time worker working a 40-hour week might work 4 days 10 hours a day instead of 5 days 8 hours a day. According to Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, this should give employees more flexibility and freedom. This should benefit the compatibility of work and private life.
According to the survey, 59 percent of employees in Germany would opt for a four-day week if they had the choice. 31 percent would therefore prefer to work their current weekly working hours on five days. The four-day model would be preferred above all by middle-aged workers (30 to 44 year olds: 64 percent) and employees with higher educational qualifications (62 percent).
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
