Dramatic shift at Volkswagen: Implicates every staff member
In a significant move, German automotive giant Volkswagen has announced that it will implement a uniform weekly working time of 35 hours for all full-time employees, effective July 1st. This change is part of the future collective agreement of December 20, 2024, as reported by the Braunschweigische Zeitung.
The VW master agreement has been adjusted accordingly, aiming to create clear conditions regarding working hours. It's important to note that this change does not apply to part-time employees, whose working hours remain individually agreed and only change with a voluntary alteration in the employment contract.
For full-time employees, the new working hours will bring a more uniform schedule, although the current working hours for many VW employees vary, ranging from 25 to 35 hours per week. Notably, employees who were already employed full-time at Volkswagen by December 31, 2004, are exempt from the new 35-hour weekly working time regulation.
Employees in the working or release phase of a partial retirement employment contract as of July 1, 2025, are considered to be in partial retirement and are also excluded from this change.
The report about this change was published by the Braunschweigische Zeitung, a reputable local German newspaper. Interested individuals can find the original article there.
As for other news, it's worth mentioning that Volkswagen aims to offer a free test drive for the Kia EV6 GT-line electric crossover. However, this is an advertisement and not directly related to the changes in working hours at Volkswagen.
In summary, Volkswagen is moving towards a more uniform working schedule for its full-time employees, while part-time employees and those in partial retirement will continue with their current arrangements. The details of this change can be found in the Braunschweigische Zeitung.
- In line with the future collective agreement, Volkswagen is adjusting its master agreement to promote health-and-wellness and workplace-wellness, with a focus on science, as the uniform weekly working time of 35 hours for full-time employees is aiming to improve overall employee well-being.
- With this change, Volkswagen shows a commitment to finance, business, and health-and-wellness, as the new working hours will potentially lead to increased productivity and reduced financial stress for employees due to a more consistent work schedule.
- The shift towards a more uniform 35-hour weekly working time also implies a positive step forward for the science of work-life balance, as evidence suggests that a balanced work life can contribute to overall health and well-being, both physically and mentally.
