Greater flexibility for businesses and employees: broad coalition of organisations calls for a reduction in weekly working hours

A broad coalition of business organisations is backing the “Weekly Working Hours Now” campaign. At its heart is a joint call for the modernisation of working time legislation in line with the European Working Time Directive, to give businesses and employees greater flexibility. In view of the current economic challenges and growing demands for flexible working models, 14 business and industry associations have joined the original initiative launched by the DEHOGA Federal Association. Further partners are invited to get involved and drive the reform forward.

Germany is under considerable economic pressure: virtually no growth, coupled with rising costs due to inflation, taxes and levies, as well as bureaucracy, are weighing on Germany as a business location. The switch from a daily to a weekly maximum working time was agreed in the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and the SPD and could give businesses and employees the necessary flexibility that is needed right now. In this way, it could help to improve both productivity and working conditions. According to available information, the Federal Ministry of Labour is set to table a draft bill before the summer recess.

The ‘Weekly Working Hours Now’ initiative gives a voice to those with practical experience. Both employers and employees make it clear what this is about: not more work, but greater freedom in the distribution of working hours. From the associations’ perspective, the focus is on managing peaks in orders and crisis intervention, as well as simply achieving a better balance between family, voluntary work, care responsibilities and career.

This applies not only to the tourism sector, which is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises, such as the hotel and catering industries, travel agencies and tour operators, but also to the live entertainment sector and the events and trade fair industry. Overall, the aim is to make use of the opportunities offered by European regulations to strengthen the economy whilst at the same time meeting the wishes of many employees.

The alliance currently comprises the following associations:

asr Alliance of Independent Travel Companies – Federal Association e.V.

AUMA – Association of the German Trade Fair Industry

BDKV Federal Association of the Concert and Events Industry e.V.

Federal Association of the Camping Industry in Germany e.V. (BVCD)

Federal Association of German Incoming Companies

Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry | BTW

Federal Association of German Discotheques and Dance Clubs (BDT)

German Caravanning Trade Association

German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA Federal Association)

DRV German Travel Association

EVVC European Association of Event Centres

German Hotel Association (IHA)

Live Music Commission (LiveKomm)

German Travel Management Association | VDR

VDVO – Association of Event Organisers

Selected comments from alliance partners on weekly working hours:

Anke Budde, President – asr Alliance of Independent Travel Companies – Federal Association e.V. “Flexible working hours can give employees more freedom to better balance work, family and personal circumstances. In tourism, we need framework conditions that meet the needs of both employees and companies in equal measure.”

Jörn Holtmeier, Managing Director – AUMA – Association of the German Trade Fair Industry “Workat trade fairs is highly intensive because everything has to come together in a short space of time. To achieve this, companies and employees need more flexibility in scheduling. A modern working time arrangement is practical and fair for both sides.”

Johannes Everke, Managing Director – BDKV Federal Association of the Concert and Event Industry e.V. “Live experiences don’t happen on a strict timetable. When the weather suddenly changes, tour plans fall through or shows are underway, teams need flexibility to ensure professional events succeed.”

Anke Herrmann, President – Federal Association of German Incoming Companies e.V. “Workplace flexibility strengthens tourism: it enables quick solutions and ensures international guests have a smooth stay in Germany.”

Sven Liebert, Secretary General – Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry | BTW “The tourism industry is built on small and medium-sized enterprises. Reliability and flexibility are crucial for Germany to remain a sustainable tourism destination. The weekly working hours allow our 250,000 businesses to meet this demand at all times.”

Holger Bösch, President – Federal Association of German Discotheques and Dance Clubs (BDT) “Flexibility for nightlife! Clubs and discotheques need working time models that suit the industry: MORE FREEDOM PER WEEK.”

Ariane Finzel, Managing Director – German Caravanning Trade Association “In the caravanning trade, with seasonal peaks, short-notice workshop orders and high service expectations from our customers, we need a modern working time arrangement based on a weekly working time that allows for flexibility.”

Jana Schimke, Chief Executive – DEHOGA Federal Association “The hospitality industry thrives on flexibility. Whether it’s breakfast service, wedding receptions or seasonal peaks: rigid daily maximum limits suit neither operational reality nor the needs of many employees.”

Albin Loidl, President – German Travel Association (DRV) “For employees in the travel industry,flexible working hours do not mean more strain, but rather greater freedom to organise their time and adapt to the reality of work: advice and service must be available when customers wish to book.”

René Tumler, Managing Director – EVVC European Association of Event Centres e.V. “The current legal limit simply does not do justice to the reality of work in the events industry. With greater flexibility, we can create even better events and give employees more autonomy.”

Steffen Kache, Board Member – LiveMusikKommission e.V. (LiveKomm) “The aim is not more work, but greater autonomy: flexible working hours in clubs and at festivals whilst fully respecting rest periods, health and safety regulations and the European maximum weekly working hours.”

Christoph Carnier, President – German Travel Management Association | VDR

“Flexibility in working hours is central to a functioning business travel sector. Business travellers need reliable hospitality arrangements for trade fairs, meetings and conferences.”