Shift work is widespread in Germany. The most common model is the 8-hour shift. This is because, according to labor law and the Working Hours Act (ArbZG), no more than 8 hours a day should be worked. However, there are always exceptions and the 24-hour shift is a major exception. After all, it directly triples the legal requirements. In this article, we explain why and when this is permissible.
How the 24-hour shift works
A normal working shift lasts 8 hours. According to the Working Hours Act, it may last a maximum of 10 hours, whereby 2 hours count as overtime. It is not permitted to work more than 10 hours at a time.
So how can there be a 24-hour shift? The answer to this question lies in the nature of the length of the shift. There are certain situations and areas of work in which a 24-hour shift is necessary.
The 24-hour shift is particularly common in areas of work where on-call duty and standby duty take priority. According to the Working Hours Act, it is permitted to exceed the prescribed limit of 10 consecutive working hours. However, this only applies if “the working time regularly and to a considerable extent includes standby duty and on-call duty”.
This is particularly the case in the nursing professions, hospitals, social work and rescue services. The 24-hour shift is used when it is necessary, so to speak. For example, when people need continuous care, such as in nursing or in the event of an accident. Well-known examples are doctors who have to look after their patients at all times or the emergency services, who are on call at all times.
The 24-hour shift model is not uncontroversial because the physical and mental stress can be high. However, 24-hour on-call duty can also be associated with a low workload if nothing happens during these 24 hours that needs to be responded to while on-call. However, this is rarely the case.
The advantages and disadvantages of the 24-hour shift
Long working shifts are logically a great strain on the mind and body. However, the 24-hour shift model does have advantages for both employers and employees.
The organization of shifts is simpler. Fewer handovers have to be planned and the working hours are clearly defined. In terms of organization and planning effort, the 24-hour shift is actually one of the best working models.
Employees have many rest periods and therefore more free time. Basically, the legally prescribed 48-hour maximum working hours per week are reached directly with the 24-hour shift model. This means that employees have 5 days off a week. Of course, rest periods must also be observed between two shifts and no 24-hour shifts may take place on two consecutive days.
The cost of commuting to work is also reduced for employees. Whether it’s a tank of gas or a ticket for local public transport, the commute to work doesn’t have to be made every day, leaving more money in the bank account.
However, permanently long shifts are a reason for stress-related illnesses. However, it all depends on the workload. A nurse is certainly under more stress during her shift than a paramedic on call in a small village. However, everyone’s ability to cope with stress is different, so a 24-hour shift is always a risk in terms of stress.
Therefore, in most cases it is not worthwhile and a different working time model often makes more sense, as the long shifts exhaust the employees in the long term.
Conclusion
The 24-hour shift model can only be found in certain industries and professions. But even there it is rather controversial and only rarely the best choice. The stress can be very high and sooner or later drains employees, which means that the benefits are ultimately very low and, above all, employees are worn out. A different working model is usually a better choice.
