The German labor law mandates a minimum rest time of 11 hours per day for workers. During this time, even reading work emails or answering calls from colleagues is prohibited.
Regulations on Rest Time: At Least 11 Hours Per Day
No country in the world prioritizes workers more than Germany. Their work and rest hour regulations clearly state: The working time per day for employees must not exceed 8 hours. Notably, the rest period after work must be at least 11 hours. During these 11 hours, any work-related activities are considered… illegal.
Germany clearly separates working hours and rest time
When Kristen Ghodsee (from the United States) first visited the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies in Germany, she was unaware of this rest hour regulation. She stayed to “volunteer for overtime.” Within minutes, Ghodsee heard a knock on the door. The director of the institute entered and asked if she needed anything.
Ghodsee shook her head and replied no. The director glanced at the clock, slightly irritated with Ghodsee for not leaving after hours. Ghodsee hurried to explain, but was met with a louder reprimand. “You are in Germany; go home now!”
For Germans, once work hours are over, it is time to rest. They refer to the time after a day of labor as “Feierabend.” This term signifies a complete break from work.
Exceptions Still Require 10 Hours of Rest
In 2003, the European Union proposed that EU member states legislate working and rest hours. Germany quickly seized the opportunity to implement and enforce work hour regulations.
During rest periods, thinking or doing anything work-related is strictly prohibited
“Germans are acutely aware of the importance of separating work from private life” – David Markworth, an employee at the University of Cologne’s Institute of Labour and Commercial Law, stated. “We welcome the EU regulations and only allow a few exceptions.”
Feierabend exceptions include hospital staff, farmers, those working in hospitality, transport, or media. However, they are only allowed to reduce their rest time by 1 hour, still maintaining 10 hours.
Too Much Rest Can Be Overwhelming
According to regulations, no one is allowed to interrupt Feierabend, including the workers themselves. Once it is time to rest, work must be completely set aside. However, since the advent of smartphones, this regulation has become inconvenient.
“Resting for a continuous 11 hours is too long” – Claudia Knuth, a lawyer at Lutz Abel law firm, remarked. “Many people check work emails during this time simply out of… boredom.”
According to regulations, no one is allowed to interrupt Feierabend.
A 2019 survey conducted by the digital association Bitkom in Germany revealed that 96% of participants felt Feierabend was too rigid. They wanted changes to make rest periods more flexible to fit individual work and life needs.
With today’s digital technology, employees can easily access work outside the office. According to a 2015 survey in Germany, more than a quarter of employees reported that employers wanted to be able to contact them at all times.
But the Law Must and Should Be Followed
“Rest hour regulations are being widely ignored” – Knuth asserted. “At most, when violations occur, companies are merely reminded or reprimanded.”
“In reality, Feierabend has long been circumvented” – Adél Holdampf-Wendel, a labor law expert, added. “Some people want extra free time in the afternoon for errands, like taking care of children, and then make up for it in the evening. Others prefer to discuss matters late at night with colleagues so they can arrive at work later the next day.”
However, according to the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAUA) in Germany, relaxing Feierabend rules could lead to worker exploitation. A survey by this organization in 2017 found that 20% of employees had rested for less than 11 hours per day at least once a month. They suspect that this 20% may have been pressured to work overtime.
In the digital age, adhering to rest hours protects workers from… themselves
Above all, Feierabend is for the benefit of workers. It not only protects them from being exploited by employers but also keeps them safe from their own tendency to “overwork.” Even if they only read work emails during off-hours to… kill time, once they finish, they often find themselves worrying. According to BAUA, many employees who regularly rest for less than 11 hours a day have reported insomnia, burnout, and back pain.
“Adhering to rest hour regulations is crucial, especially in today’s digital age, where smartphones and laptops are ubiquitous” – David Markworth concluded. “The important thing now is how to protect employees from the risk of being exploited by employers, and especially from themselves.”
