About seven per cent of the respondents interviewed for the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, BAuA) Working Time Survey are self-employed and either have employees or work on their own (the “solo self-employed”). In comparison to dependent employees, self-employed people are more likely to report long weekly working times of over forty-eight hours, while regular weekend work is generally the norm rather than the exception for them. Although the self-employed are more frequently able to decide for themselves when they work, the flexibility demanded of them is greater than that expected from dependent employees. Indeed, it is not uncommon for self-employed people to be constantly reachable, accept being contacted during their private time, or have to work on demand.

Please download the complete factsheet "Working Time Report Germany: (Solo) Self-employment and Working Times" (in German only).