Dispute Over the Eight-Hour Day: Construction Workers Sound the Alarm

Source: Dev.to

Construction Workers Warn: The Limit Has Already Been Reached

The eight‑hour working day has been a cornerstone of German labor law for more than 100 years. Although the Working Time Act already allows exceptions of up to ten hours per day, many construction workers see no room for further flexibility.

“Our people are already at their limit,” says Markus Pohlmann, works council chairman at Strabag. Overtime is part of everyday life on construction sites, often exceeding legal limits. In practice, additional “flexibility” feels less like freedom and more like pressure.

A survey by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) supports this view:

• 98 % of respondents do not want to work more than ten hours per day
• 95 % would choose to end their workday by 6 p.m. if they had full control

Lack of Time Tracking Puts Workers’ Rights at Risk

Beyond hour limits, construction workers face rising living costs, discussions about increasing the retirement age to 70, and, above all, insufficient time tracking on sites. Without reliable digital systems, it is often unclear whether overtime is fully documented and fairly compensated. Trade unions see this as a serious risk to workers’ rights and call for urgent action.

Digital Solutions Like TimeSpin for Construction Workers and Site Managers

Innovative tools such as TimeSpin offer a practical solution to these challenges.

• Mobile app: Workers can record their hours directly on their smartphones—no additional hardware required.
• TimeSpin Cube: For site, project managers, and foremen, the Cube provides quick, intuitive tracking of project times, team coordination, and on‑site project management.

Benefits at a Glance

For construction workers

• Simple app‑based tracking
• Clear proof of working hours
• Protection against unpaid overtime

For construction companies

• Legally compliant documentation
• Reduced administrative effort through automation
• Improved project planning

For site and project managers

• Smart overview of teams and projects using the TimeSpin Cube

Key Issues Facing the Construction Industry

The debate around the eight‑hour day highlights a broader challenge: construction companies need modern approaches to time tracking, occupational safety, and project management. Keywords such as digital time tracking in construction, time tracking via app, protection of construction workers’ working hours, construction project control, and efficiency in construction companies reflect the current reality and point to solutions already available today through providers like TimeSpin.

Balancing Flexibility and Protection

The current dispute shows how crucial balance has become: flexibility for companies on one side, protection for workers on the other. Political proposals alone will not solve the problem. Practical, digital tools like TimeSpin can truly align working hours, employee satisfaction, and economic efficiency in the construction sector.

Conclusion

While politicians and trade unions continue to argue about longer working hours, digital innovation may be the real game changer. With app‑based time tracking for construction workers, smart project management through the TimeSpin Cube, and transparent, legally compliant documentation, solutions like TimeSpin offer a sustainable path forward for the entire construction industry.