What Types of Working Hour Models Are There? — Overview & Examples
For many companies and employees, a classic 9-to-5 job with eight working hours is a given and is seldom questioned. However, there is now a variety of alternative working hour models. Severe staff shortages in many industries and increasing digitization are two factors driving significant changes in the world of work. To stay current, it’s essential to be aware of these changes and familiarize yourself with different working hour models.
Content
↓ Definition of working hour models
↓ Types of working hour models
↓ What makes for flexible working hours?
↓ Benefits of flexible working hour models for companies
↓ How employees benefit from flexible working hours
↓ Checklist: How to manage a working time account
↓ 5 tips for recording working hours
↓ How is each working hour model established?
↓ Where are legal working hours defined?
↓ What role does HR software play in relation to different working hour models?
↓ What does regular working hours mean?
Definition of Working Hour Models
A working hour model is an agreement between employers and employees that precisely defines typical working hours. This can cover daily, weekly, or even annual working hours. Employment contracts and collective agreements are paramount here, and it’s essential to consider legal regulations regarding working hours.
Types of Working Hour Models
Companies use working hour models to plan and organize the workload. By assigning an employee a working hour model, companies know when the employee is available for work. Working hour models can vary depending on the company’s requirements, industry, legal regulations, and employee preferences.
Here are some common working hour models:
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Flextime
- Shift work
- Trust working hours
- Lifetime work account
- Annual working hours
- On-call work
- Job sharing
What Makes for Flexible Working Hours?
Many working hour models are often rigid, specifying when employees must make themselves available for work. That means working hours are precisely defined. However, this is not the case with flexible working hours. In this case, there are no set regular working hours, providing employees with some freedom to determine their working hours within certain constraints. Yearly working hours, on the other hand, offer companies flexibility by spreading weekly or monthly working hours throughout the year to better accommodate seasonal fluctuations.
Benefits of Flexible Working Hour Models for Companies
Companies that opt for flexible working hour models can reap several benefits. Primarily, they can adapt to current workloads and utilize available staff when they’re genuinely needed. This is particularly advantageous for companies dealing with seasonal fluctuations in workload.
Flexible working hours are also appreciated by employees and can increase their productivity and motivation. Working hour models can serve as essential tools to enhance employee engagement.
How Employees Benefit from Flexible Working Hours
Employees often welcome flexible working hours because they offer significant flexibility. They can adjust their working hours at short notice, especially when family commitments or other responsibilities arise. In this case, employees also feel taken seriously and respected because they don’t just have to implement the instructions of their boss, but can also influence their own working hours. The trust placed in them and the freedom they’ve gained ensures increased satisfaction.
Checklist: How to Manage a Working Time Account
Tracking employees’ working hours has both economic and legal reasons. Typically, an working time account is maintained for each employee, providing information on the hours worked and attendance. Time recording is commonly done with time tracking software. The following checklist shows various ways to record working hours:
- Pen and paper
- Excel spreadsheet
- Time clock
- Time recording software
- Mobile app for work time recording
5 Tips for Recording Working Hours
Tracking working hours is crucial for companies. While implementing it can be challenging, it’s necessary and has recently become a legal requirement (ruling for the obligation to record working time).
The following tips can help companies strike a balance:
- Implement a straightforward and reliable time recording system.
- Integrate time management into your workforce management system.
- Actively involve your employees in scheduling and organizing working hours.
- Comply with legal requirements for mandatory time recording.
- Place trust in your employees and do not solely rely on absolute control.
How Is Each Working Hour Model Established?
The establishment of each working hour model primarily lies with the employer. Employment contracts define regular working hours, thus establishing the specific working hour model. This means the employer can exercise their right to issue instructions. However, it’s not impossible for employees to note their preferences during contract negotiations or even if they already have an existing employment relationship.
Where Are Legal Working Hours Defined?
In Germany, legal working hours are regulated by the Working Hours Act. According to § 3 of the ArbZG, the 8-hour workday is considered standard and should generally not be exceeded. However, if compensation is provided, the daily working hours can be extended to up to 10 hours.
What Role Does HR Software Play in Relation to Different Working Hour Models?
Modern human resource management relies on digital solutions, making HR software indispensable. Companies that deviate from standard working hours or employ multiple working hour models simultaneously require a robust workforce management system capable of these requirements effectively. A reliable time management solution, integration with time recording software, and powerful staff scheduling are essential.
What Does Regular Working Hours Mean?
When discussing working hours, standard working hours are often brought up. Standard working hours refer to the working hours permitted by law. In Germany, this typically involves an 8-hour workday within a 40-hour workweek. However, practical implementation of working hours and various working hour models often lead to significant deviations. Standard working hours serve as a general guideline, considering legal regulations.
Summary
The classic 9-to-5 job with an 8-hour workday remains a popular working hour model. However, there are many other ways to structure working hours. In many cases, implementing flexible working hours is advantageous. For this, reliable and accurate time recording is essential. Therefore, it’s important to utilize suitable staff planning software.
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