A country filled with individuals who are extremely dedicated to their work has developed a fresh obsession: Reducing work hours. Germany is credited with the development of the Protestant work ethic. Now it is losing interest in the daily routine. Last year, Germans worked an average of 1,343 hours, which was lower than the average in any other OECD country. The OECD is a group of 38 wealthy nations. Last year, Germans took a record-breaking 19.4 sick days, as reported by the Techniker Krankenkasse, the largest health insurer in the country.

After a long absence, trade unions have recently started advocating for reduced working hours, in addition to increased wages. Coaches, sociologists, and organization consultants are highlighting the benefits of relaxation as a solution for burnouts, strained families, decreased productivity, and even climate change. Younger generations have a different perspective on work compared to their parents. “They have witnessed the devastating consequences,” remarks Margareta Steinrücke, co-author of the recently published book “Work less, live more.” “So they inform their parents, the politicians, that they no longer wish to continue with this.”

Certain Europeans take offense at generalizations about their nationalities. Many embrace them wholeheartedly. The French consider themselves experts in the realms of cuisine and romance. Italians frequently boast about their deep understanding of fashion, coffee, and the opera. Many Germans perceive themselves as highly efficient and dedicated to their work. The origin of that saying is unclear, but in his 1904 book “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism,” sociologist Max Weber portrayed the reformation as a significant catalyst for economic prosperity in Northern Europe.

Germany may have been the originator of the motivational sticker: Proverb towels gained immense popularity in kitchens during the late 19th century. These towels were adorned with embroidered slogans like “With Joy Do your Duty” or “Work is a Woman’s Ornament,” aimed at discouraging domestic idleness.

For Hendrik Laeppché, the owner and manager of a mid-sized distributor of industrial parts in northern Germany, the phenomenon of people being against work is a genuine issue, and it is not only affecting Generation Z. “We recently had an apprentice, a highly skilled 23-year-old woman,” he remarked. “We offered her a full-time job, and guess what she says?” ‘I would like to work four days a week and have the flexibility to pursue online sales and other personal interests.’And then there are the individuals who are 59 years old. They are interested in reducing their pace and transitioning to a four-day work week.

The trend is puzzling economists and politicians alike, as they express concern that this wave of indifference may have negative implications for an economy that is already struggling with a severe labor shortage. “People in France, in Italy and elsewhere, they work a lot more than we do,” Finance Minister Christian Lindner expressed his concern earlier this year while introducing tax incentives aimed at encouraging Germans to embrace overtime.”

Michael Kretschmer, the conservative state governor of Saxony and a staunch supporter of increased work hours, expressed that there is a lot of discussion surrounding the idea of reduced work hours and the possibility of a shorter work week. This poses a significant economic risk. In German, the value of working hard is referred to as Fleiß, which can be translated as diligence or industriousness. Fleiß influenced the political discourse during the eurozone debt crisis of 2010, when a significant number of German voters expressed frustration over having to financially support their Greek counterparts who retired at 57 and appeared, based on media coverage, to spend their days leisurely enjoying espresso on café terraces.

In the present day, the average Greek individual worked a total of 1,897 hours last year, as reported by the OECD. This figure surpasses the average German by 554 hours. Greeks have recently increased their retirement age to 67, and a new law permitting a six-day workweek was implemented just last month. Meanwhile in Germany, 50 companies are participating in a study conducted by the University of Münster to explore the potential appeal of a four-day workweek with full pay for workers. The EU predicts a 2.2% growth for the Greek economy this year, whereas the German economy has remained stagnant since 2019.

“The crisis has taught Greeks the value of hard work,” stated Alex Kirgiannakis, a former securities trader from Thessaloniki who has successfully established Apló, a popular Greek fast-food restaurant with two branches in Berlin. I have a considerable number of Greek employees. In addition, Italians and Spaniards are also included. Germans, on the other hand, are not as inclined…They have a deep understanding of the system, and unfortunately, this often leads to exploiting its loopholes. Regular visitors have always been skeptical of Germany’s reputation for hard work.

Shopping on Sundays is mostly prohibited and the typical out-of-office email states: “I am currently unavailable. We regret to inform you that your message will not be forwarded or read. Universities typically offer students the flexibility to choose their own learning pace, resulting in many graduates in their 30s. Additionally, approximately half of schoolchildren attend morning-only school sessions.

Rick Weinberg, originally from Michigan, had a successful career as an IT product manager in Silicon Valley before making the decision to relocate to Europe with his family four years ago. On his initial day at a Berlin startup, he was taken aback when the clock struck midday. “Everyone is leaving and they are gone for the entire hour, hour and a half…And then it’s 5:30, six o’clock, and suddenly I’m out of here. “I’ll continue tomorrow,” stated Weinberg, who currently resides near Barcelona and enjoys the convenience of being able to shop for groceries on Sundays.

According to a recent YouGov poll, a significant number of respondents, including a notable percentage of men, admitted to fabricating their reasons for calling in sick. Companies are now taking action in response to the alarming rise of sick-day fraud, which has even spawned its own verb: Krankfeiern. In June, Tesla implemented a pilot program at its German plant near Berlin, offering a bonus to employees who consistently demonstrate high attendance rates, as per insiders. Tesla did not provide a response when asked for comment.

According to those who oppose the concept of work, the concerning health statistics can be easily explained: Germans are burdened with excessive workloads. “Many individuals experience significant health issues by the time they retire due to the immense pressure they face,” stated Dirk Schulze, the district manager for Brandenburg’s IG Metall trade union, which is located in the vicinity of Tesla’s headquarters. “To attract talented individuals, it is crucial to offer shorter working hours rather than longer ones.”

According to some experts, Germany’s challenging skills shortage and high employment rate are reasons why Germans should not become complacent, but rather take advantage of the situation. “People have always had a desire to reduce their workload, and now they have the opportunity to do so,” stated Enzo Weber, the director of forecasting and economic analysis at the Institute for Employment Research, a government think tank. The current state of the labor market has caused a shift in the balance of power between employers and employees.

When she transitioned from her retail job to a part-time role as an organization consultant, Anne Wilhelm, 32, was delighted by the newfound flexibility. During that period, she dedicated herself to learning graphic design. Now residing in Indonesia, where she divides her time between volunteering, design assignments, and managing her Airbnb, her perspective on the balance between work and leisure has undergone a transformation. “Working in the fields every day from morning to evening is considered normal for the people here. It’s something they don’t really think about,” she remarked. That provides you with a unique point of view. At times, it makes you question whether we’re overly fixated on a problem that could be considered a luxury.