Christmas in Germany
Almost one in ten people has to work on Christmas Eve
Updated on December 24, 2024Reading time: 2 minutes
In the modern working world, the tradition of a work-free Christmas no longer applies. In Germany, too, many people work on the holidays. A study shows who has to work on the holidays – and under what conditions.
Almost one in ten employees has to work after 2 p.m. on this Christmas Eve. Since the 24th falls on a Tuesday this year, many employees only have half a day off work: in the morning, 22 percent of employees in Germany are still at work, according to a study by the trade union-affiliated Hans Böckler Foundation (WSI). emerges.
According to the study, 44 percent of employees in retail had to work in the morning on December 24th. However, after the store closed, most of the employees were able to go home.
The scientists at the foundation's own WSI Institute rely on a survey with 7,100 participants and the evaluation of 95 relevant collective agreements.
But does this commitment pay off for the employees at Christmas? On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, a good half of workers receive a wage supplement, according to the study. A value that rises to a good 70 percent on the two Christmas holidays. The surcharges are usually regulated in collective agreements, which also contain exemptions for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. These are not considered public holidays and fall on a Tuesday this year.
Depending on the industry, the bonuses are usually between 50 and 200 percent of the daily salary. For example, employees in the construction industry, insurance companies, employees of Deutsche Telekom and Volkswagen receive paid time off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Often there is also a half day off.
According to the WSI, on the two days of Christmas the general employment figures remain at around the same level as on Christmas Eve after 2 p.m. of around nine percent. An important exception is the hospitality industry, where more than three out of ten employees are always in demand in the job. An above-average number of people also have to go to work over the holidays in the areas of transport and logistics as well as in retail and in health and social services.
