Germany is seeing a trend toward shorter working weeks, with some companies shifting to a four-day workweek to balance worker shortages and competitiveness.
For instance, KlimaShop, a heat pump and air-conditioning system provider in southern Germany, introduced a four-day workweek, with each employee working an hour-and-a-half more per day in exchange for an extra day off each week.
Management consultancy Intraprenoer is leading a large-scale experiment with the shorter schedule, with up to 50 companies planning to test it in 2024. While some support the move for better work-life balance and increased productivity, others are concerned it could have a negative economic impact.