(in German)

Digitization, globalization, and the pluralization of individual and cultural values have triggered a change of the world of work, which also challenges the regulation of working hours and the arrangement of working time schedules. Hence, the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), a research institution of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS), has initiated the project "Working Time Reporting for Germany". In 2016, the first Working Time Report was published providing an overview of the distribution of working time in Germany (BAuA, 2016). The report is based on a representative survey with a sample of about 20 000 employees in Germany who worked at least 10 hours per week in their main job. The BAuA working time survey is designed as a panel study. In 2017, almost 10 000 people were surveyed, including around 6 500 participants of the first wave and more than 3 000 new respondents ("refreshers"). This report presents findings of the current survey and emphasizes changes and developments since 2015.

In parallel to the BAuA Working Time Report 2016, it focuses on the duration and location of working times as well as flexible working time arrangements. Working time duration considers the contractually agreed and actual working time. In addition, overtime and negative working hours are reported. Location of working times includes weekend work and working hours outside 7 am and 7 pm, i.e. shifted working hours as well as shift work with and without night work (respectively permanent night work). With regard to flexible working time arrangements, opportunities (e.g. employees' opportunity to determine beginning and end of work) are opposed to flexibility requirements (e.g. permanent availability). The dissemination of these different aspects of working time is compared for different groups of employees. Socio-demographic characteristics (e.g. gender), economic sectors and professions, the size of the company, and the comparison between managers and employees without executive functions are considered.

Overall, it can be seen that working time durations, location, and flexibility are comparably stable since 2015. However, the analysis also hints at some specific groups of employees, who are affected by slight changes.

Please download the complete report "BAuA Working Time Survey: Comparison 2015-2017" (in German only).