Bremen sees over 10.3 million hours of unpaid overtime work - numerous instances reported
In a recent statement, Björn Bauer, head of the NGG Bremen-Weser-Elbe, has expressed concern over the federal government's plans to abolish the weekly maximum working time and the 8-hour day. Bauer fears that these changes could lead to a significant increase in workload for employees, particularly in the hotel and catering industry.
Bauer describes a 73.5-hour week as "almost double today's weekly workload and pure working time stretching." He argues that longer working days do not solve the issue of missing skilled workers, instead describing them as merely patching holes in a thin staff.
The NGG union warns that the mountain of overtime in Bremen is likely to grow in the near future due to the federal government's plans to reform working hours. Last year, approximately 173,000 overtime hours were worked in Bremen's hotels, restaurants, catering establishments, and beer gardens. Shockingly, about 53% of all overtime hours were unpaid.
Bauer emphasizes the need for predictable and reliable working hours that fit with the opening times of kindergartens and after-school care. He questions who will pick up children if shifts are 12 hours long, highlighting the potential issues with work-life balance and caregiving that could arise from longer working hours.
Bauer also expresses concern about the health of employees. He cites an increased risk of workplace accidents after eight hours of work, long-term strain on the body and psyche, and potential health issues such as heart and circulatory diseases and burnout.
The federal government's plans could allow employers to demand longer working hours, potentially leading to overloaded working weeks where employees spend almost all their waking hours at work or commuting, with no thought of making up for overtime.
These concerns about the reform's impact on the work-life balance of employees in Bremen are reiterated. Bauer criticizes the planned relaxation of the 8-hour day, stating that it goes in the wrong direction and exacerbates problems related to work-life balance, particularly for families.
The Pestel Institute calculated the overtime hours in the hotels and catering establishments in Bremen based on an evaluation of the Federal Employment Agency's data. Bauer's concerns about the potential exploitation of employees by employers in Bremen if the federal government's plans to reform working hours are implemented are also reiterated.
Image Source: Tobias Seifert
This article is intended to provide information and stimulate discussion. It does not represent the views or opinions of the author or any affiliated organizations. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and make informed decisions based on verified sources.
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