Federal Office for statistics
4.5 million employees work overtime
In Germany, 4.5 million employees worked overtime in 2021. Overtime was particularly common among employees in the finance and insurance sectors.
Photo: Ralph Hirschberger/dpa-zentralbuild/dpa/Archive image
Last year, 4.5 million workers worked overtime. The Federal Statistical Office calculated it as an average. However, some areas had more overtime than others.
07/06/2022 12:23 p.m
Wiesbaden. In 2021, an average of 4.5 million people worked more in Germany than contractually agreed. According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 12 percent of the 37.8 million employees were affected by overtime. With a share of 14 percent, men work overtime a little more often than women with 10 percent.
For example, overtime was most prevalent in the finance and insurance sectors, where 19 percent were affected. In the energy sector too, at 18 percent, a relatively large number of overtime hours were worked. The rate was lowest at 6 percent in the hospitality industry and the arts and entertainment industry (8 percent) – the corona restrictions are likely to have an impact here.
Up to 15 hours of overtime per week
According to statisticians, overtime was limited to a few hours per week for most workers. However, 29 percent of those affected worked overtime for at least 15 hours a week.
About 22 percent of those who worked overtime in 2021 were doing unpaid overtime. About 18 percent were paid for their overtime. 72 percent used a working time account. Some additional work was done by combining the three shapes.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220706-99-926435/5 (dpa)
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