If you work in Germany, the rules around how your working hours are scheduled could soon change. The current coalition government is pushing to make Germany's working-time regulations more flexible — a move that has triggered a notable response from within the SPD, one of the coalition's own parties. The SPD grassroots have issued a position paper drawing clear red lines, insisting that any shift to a weekly working-time model must be tied to a collective bargaining agreement (Tarifvertrag). For expats and immigrants employed across Germany's many industries, this debate matters: the outcome will shape how much say your employer has over when — and how long — you work.
The coalition's plan aims to give employers and employees more flexibility in how working hours are distributed across the week. Currently, German working-time law sets relatively strict daily limits and rest requirements. Proponents of reform argue that modern workplaces — especially in tech, logistics, and service industries where many expats are employed — need more room to adapt schedules to business needs and personal preferences.
The details of the exact proposal are still being negotiated, but the direction is clear: the coalition wants to loosen the existing framework to allow working hours to be measured and managed on a weekly rather than a strictly daily basis.
The SPD grassroots are not opposing flexibility outright, but they are setting a firm condition. Their position paper states that a weekly working-time model should only be introduced where a Tarifvertrag — a collective bargaining agreement between employer associations and trade unions — is in place. This is a significant safeguard.
In Germany, Tarifverträge set binding standards for pay, hours, and working conditions across entire sectors. By tying the reform to these agreements, the SPD base wants to ensure that flexibility does not become a tool for employers to demand longer or more irregular hours from workers without union-negotiated protections in place. For employees in sectors or companies not covered by a Tarifvertrag — a situation that affects a considerable share of the workforce — the reform could look very different depending on how this dispute is resolved.
This internal disagreement could slow the reform or force a compromise, and it signals that the final shape of the legislation is far from settled.
For expats working in Germany, the practical implications depend largely on your sector and your employment contract. If your workplace is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, any changes to working-time rules would have to be negotiated with union representatives before taking effect — giving workers a layer of protection. If your workplace is not covered by a Tarifvertrag, the outcome of this coalition dispute will be especially relevant to watch.
More broadly, this debate touches on a core aspect of working life in Germany: the balance between employer flexibility and employee rights. Germany has historically leaned toward protecting workers from unpredictable or excessive hours, and many expats appreciate this stability. Any loosening of those rules — even in the name of flexibility — is worth monitoring closely.
If you are unsure whether your employment is covered by a Tarifvertrag, your employment contract or your HR department should be able to clarify this. Trade unions such as ver.di or IG Metall can also advise workers in their respective sectors.
A Tarifvertrag is a collective bargaining agreement negotiated between a trade union and an employer or employer association. It sets legally binding minimum standards for pay, working hours, holidays, and other conditions within a specific sector or company. The SPD base is insisting that any new flexibility in working-time rules should only apply where such an agreement exists, so that changes cannot be imposed on workers without union input and protection.
No changes are in force yet — this is still a political debate within the coalition. Your current contract and applicable Tarifvertrag (if any) remain valid. However, it is worth staying informed, as any legislation that passes could eventually affect how your employer is allowed to schedule your hours. Consulting a lawyer or a trade union representative is advisable if you have specific concerns about your situation.
Check your employment contract, ask your HR department, or contact the relevant trade union for your industry. Unions can tell you whether a Tarifvertrag applies to your sector and what protections it provides.
Germany's working-time reform debate is one to watch for anyone employed in the country. The SPD grassroots' red lines could significantly shape the final outcome, either by ensuring collective bargaining protections are built into any new flexibility, or by stalling the reform altogether. For now, no changes are in effect. Keep an eye on coalition announcements, and if you want to understand your current rights, speaking with your trade union or an employment lawyer is a good starting point.
Source: tagesschau
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