The Volksbanken’s experiences with the four-day week are positive, but the model is still met with criticism. picture alliance/dpa | Fabian Sommer
Some Volksbanks have reduced working hours and introduced a four-day week while keeping wages the same, reports the “Handelsblatt”.
The experiences are positive. There are more applications, the employees are happier and efficiency has not suffered.
It is criticized that the model increases the shortage of skilled workers.
Some Volksbanks have reduced working hours and introduced a four-day week while keeping wages the same, reports das âHandelsblattâ.
A year and a half ago, Volksbank Kaiserslautern reduced its weekly working hours from 39 to 34.5 hours and is recruiting new employees with three days off. Volksbank Euskirchen also reduced working hours to 35 hours on four days. As with some other banks, vacation days have fallen as a result.
The Auricher Raiffeisen-Volksbank has reduced working hours from 36 to 33 hours as a test. At Volksbank Düsseldorf Neuss, employees who work in the branch have had a 36-hour week since autumn 2022.
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The Volksbanks’ experiences with the four-day week
According to the board of the Volksbank in Kaiserslautern, Peter Kullmann, employee fluctuation has fallen significantly, while applications from skilled workers have increased, according to the “Handelsblatt”. In addition, the employees are happier.
Hans-Jürgen Lembicz, board member of Volksbank Euskirchen, told the newspaper: “The employees say they like the solution very well, efficiency and productivity have not suffered, and our customers are mostly understanding.” œ Volksbank Düsseldorf Neuss also received more applications.
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Nevertheless, the model is met with criticism
Tanja Müller-Ziegler, board member at the Federal Association of German Volksbanks and Raiffeisenbanks, criticizes the fact that, due to demographic developments, people cannot afford to work less and less, according to the “Handelsblatt”. She spoke out in favor of more working time flexibility and pointed out that home office is possible at many cooperative banks
Jan Duschek, Verdi’s federal specialist group leader for the banking industry, told the newspaper that the reductions were only possible to a limited extent. “Precisely because the shortage of skilled workers is growing, many companies do not want to reduce working hours,” said Showuch in the “Handelsblatt”.
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