Majority of Germans for 4-day week

A majority is in favour of the four-day week in Germany, provided working hours stay the same, as has been adopted recently in Belgium, reported dpa.

According to a Forsa survey commissioned by boradcasters RTL and ntv, 71% of respondents would like to see Germany adopt this model, while 22% would not like this option, according to a statement by the broadcasters on Saturday.

The "Belgian model" met with approval above all among 30 to 44-year-olds, at 81%, and respondents with a higher level of education, at 75%.

In Belgium, employees will be able to work flexibly four or five days a week. However, the total working time will not change.

Full-time workers will be allowed to work longer hours per day so that all the required hours can be worked in four days. For example, a full-time worker with a 40-hour week could work 10 hours on each of four days instead of 8 hours on each of five days.

According to Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, this is to give workers more flexibility and freedom. This should benefit the compatibility of work and private life.

According to the survey, 59% of employees in Germany would opt for a four-day week if they had the choice. According to the survey, 31% would prefer to work their current weekly hours on five days.

The four-day model would be preferred above all by 64% of middle-aged workers, that is 30-44 year-olds, and 62% of workers with a higher level of education.

The data was collected from 1,058 respondents by the market and opinion research institute Forsa on behalf of RTL Germany from February 16 to 17, 2022.