Germany's largest union withdraws its support for the four-day workweek
The German union IG Metall, the strongest in the country, has withdrawn its support for the idea of a four-day workweek while maintaining full wages. This announcement came from the union's president, Christiane Benner, who explained that this demand is no longer a priority for the union, indicating a clear retreat from the modern work model that was very popular.
The economic reality has imposed itself strongly. At a time when Germany is facing significant economic pressures, from recession to weak investments and declining productivity, the discussion about "the search for meaning" and "work-life balance" seems far removed from market reality. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized in a striking statement that such models will not sustain the country's prosperity.
The numbers confirm this shift: for the third consecutive year, Germany is experiencing an economic recession. In 2024, a slight decrease in working hours was recorded compared to the previous year, despite an increase in the number of workers. The average working hours per person was only 1036 hours, while in Poland it was 1304 hours - a difference of nearly 300 hours.
Many workers today prefer personal security, working from home, and part-time work, and they shy away from long working hours. Even major consulting firms no longer promote the traditional career path, but use promotional slogans like 'A holiday in Mallorca for everyone.'
But the picture is not entirely bleak. Millions of Germans are still working hard, whether in factories, in the care sector, or in stores. The problem is that the extra effort is not rewarded as it should be. The gap between salaries and government support is shrinking, making extra work economically unviable. Additionally, the lack of childcare services complicates full-time work or career advancement for families – especially mothers.
The crisis is deeper than just working hours; it is a structural issue related to incentives and motivation to work. When efforts are not rewarded, the desire to contribute decreases. And when childcare is a matter of luck, talents are wasted. If extra working hours do not translate into real opportunities, the desire to give more diminishes.
The country needs a strong return to the value of effort and work, not because work is everything, but because Germany's future depends on it. Modern work models can be discussed, but we should not forget that prosperity is built on effort, bold decisions, and a balance between responsibility and incentives.
Withdrawing into personal life as a new example may seem tempting, but it ignores the fact that there are those who will bear the costs in the end. The German economy cannot function with 84 million seekers of meaning; it needs people ready for actual work.