Randstad ifo Survey: 11% of Companies in Germany Offer a Four-Day Week
Around 11% of German companies offer a four-day week, according to the latest Randstad ifo Personnel Manager Survey. There are different forms: “51% of employees with a four-day week give up part of their salary in order to only have to work four days a week,” says ifo researcher Daria Schaller. 39% spread their full-time job over four working days instead of five. And only 10% can reduce their working hours on full pay.
In addition to the 11%, only a further two percent of companies plan to offer the four-day week in the future. 19% are, however, currently discussing it. For 30% of companies, it is simply not possible. And for 38% of companies, it is not an issue.
“Many HR managers expect shorter working hours to result in a need for more employees,” Schaller continues. That is what 59% say when it comes to a four-day week with full wage compensation. 52% see additional organizational effort to establish the four-day week in the company as an obstacle. 40% fear income losses for the economy as a whole. In general, 37% do not expect any positive effects. 35% of HR managers hope for greater loyalty among their employees, and 32% for higher employee motivation.
