Merz shocked: four-day week and work-life balance criticized!

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Merz criticizes the four-day week and work-life balance. Current economic policy debates on May 14, 2025.

Merz shocked: four-day week and work-life balance criticized!

In the current debate about working time models and work-life balance, CDU chairman Friedrich Merz has taken clear positions. He sharply criticized the idea of ​​a four-day week and questioned its benefits for the German economy. In a Bundestag hearing, Merz appealed to politicians to improve the framework conditions for companies instead of placing additional burdens on them with new working time models. “We have to promote growth, not hinder it,” he emphasized. Merz expressed concerns that reducing working hours to just four days could create negative incentives for employees and employers, which would ultimately harm Germany's competitiveness.

Merz also pointed out the challenges that many companies face, especially in times of economic uncertainty. “Companies need planning security, and we should concentrate our efforts on giving them this security,” said Merz. Instead, he sees the discussion about the four-day week as a departure from these necessary measures.

The discussion about work-life balance

The debate about work-life balance in Germany is becoming increasingly heated. Merz warned that an excessive focus on personal space and leisure could endanger entrepreneurship. He notes that work-life balance is important, but not at the expense of economic stability. “We have to carefully weigh up the desire for a better quality of life and the needs of our economy,” he explained, calling for a differentiated look at the issue.

This controversial discussion is also supported by current developments in the IT industry. Golem.de, a platform for IT news, draws attention to the challenges that companies face. In addition to economic growth, the aspects of data security and the handling of cookies within digital offerings are of great importance. Users can opt for Golem pure to avoid personalized advertising and only use necessary cookies. This shows that in the modern working world, not only physical working hours but also the digital working environment are crucial for employees' quality of life. The market highlights that transparency in the handling of personal data is another important aspect that is increasingly coming into focus.

Overall, it remains to be seen how the discussion about the four-day week and the work-life balance in Germany will continue and what measures politicians will take to meet the needs of employees and companies. Merz advocates a pragmatic approach that aims to both maintain the quality of life and support the country's economic base. At a time when the balance between these aspects is becoming increasingly crucial, the debate about working models and their impact on society is more important than ever.