More employees wish to work less, survey finds

A record 46 million people are now employed in Germany up from 37.7 million  in 1994. However, by 2035, around 1,000 employees per working day are expected to be absent for age-related reasons. And Germany's average 34.4 hour working week is below the European average (36.9 hours). Yet, six out of ten people in employment (58 per cent) do not believe that the economy needs people to work more. In this case, the respondents are mainly baby boomers (1946-1964) and Generation X (1965-1979) with 63 per cent respectively, while millennials (1980-1995) and Generation Z (1996-2010) see a greater need for action (55 per cent and 53 per cent respectively), the survey found. However, almost as many GenZers (53 per cent) and half of Millennials want to work less. Across all generations, 49 per cent of respondents would like to reduce their working hours, but only 37 per cent of baby boomers. Some 57 per cent of baby boomers expressed greater satisfaction with the status quo than other age groups (Gen X: 42 per cent, Gen Z: 39 per cent, GenZ: 34 per cent, total: 40 per cent).

"There is a clear divide between the generations. While baby boomers have an above-average willingness to work and feel that they have done their bit. Yet, they see less need for increased working hours. Younger people are far more aware of a loss of prosperity. While they see increased working hours as a remedy, they would prefer not to work more themselves," said Thomas Kindler, Managing Director of Xing. Many of those surveyed are noticing the effects of the skills shortage i.e., difficulties finding suitable employees (40 per cent), increased workloads, bad mood and workload (around 30 per cent each), poor quality of work (24 per cent), increased stress levels and the risk of burn-out (24 per cent each).

The question of motivating employees to work more remains. Some 9 per cent of respondents would be willing to do so, particularly those in marginal or part-time employment (15 per cent). However, this would require financial incentives such as bonuses and premiums (48 per cent), more pay per number of hours worked (40 per cent) or significantly more pay (43 per cent). Respondents also expressed a wish for tax benefits or additional holidays (40 per cent) in the event of increased working hours.

However, work-life balance remains a top priority. Some 52 per cent of recruiters and hiring managers surveyed said it was a key factor in job interviews, along with working from home, remote working, flexible hours and attractive compensation. More than half (52 per cent) of respondents (men: 55 per cent; women: 49 per cent) were satisfied or very satisfied with their work-life balance. Women (41 per cent) were also more likely than men (31 per cent) to cite health problems and stress. Other barriers include a lack of flexible working hours (35 per cent). "These results tell us that employees in Germany are less willing than ever to subordinate their personal lives to their jobs, unless the conditions are right," says Kindler.
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