Six weeks off from work—spent relaxing on vacation without a thought for work. For a long time, employees couldn’t even imagine such a thing. Immediately after the war, workers had only twelve days off. By 1972, West Germans were at least able to take 24 days of vacation. And that’s exactly how long vacation time would still last today if employees had to make do with the statutory vacation entitlement. Because the law mandates only 24 days—but only for workers who work six days a week. For a five-day workweek, employees are legally entitled to just 20 days off.
Anything beyond that is vacation time negotiated through collective bargaining agreements, which unions and their members have secured.
The Long Road to Days Off
1903
In Germany, brewery workers in Stuttgart and Thuringia fought for and secured the first collective bargaining agreement on vacation time. The result: a full three days off—per year!
1918 and the Years That Followed
Vacation for workers was virtually unthinkable. So much so that even the few employees who received a few days of vacation under isolated provisions would return to the workplace at noon with suspicion to check whether someone else had taken their job.
1948
The right to rest and leisure is enshrined in universal human rights. Implementation in individual countries, however, is slow in coming.
1951
In the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the Right to Vacation Ordinance implements the right to vacation, which had been constitutionally guaranteed since 1949.
1962
The entitlement to vacation is extended by three to six days and is no longer based on length of service but on age.
1963
In the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), the Federal Vacation Act takes effect for the first time: It guarantees all employees with at least six months of service four weeks of paid vacation.
1978/1979
After nearly six weeks of striking, the well-organized and determined workforces of the West German iron and steel industry achieve a decisive breakthrough toward six weeks of collectively bargained vacation: A phased plan begins, culminating in 30 days of vacation.
1981
It’s done! Six weeks of collectively bargained vacation apply not only in the steel, metal, and electrical industries, as well as the printing industry, but in nearly all sectors covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Today:
30 days of vacation are taken for granted. Six weeks of paid time off. Time for yourself, for friends, for family. Time to recharge and unwind. Time we need and have earned. Time that makes all the effort worthwhile.
A Bonus for Your Travel Fund
By the way: Thanks to the collective bargaining agreement, a 50 percent vacation bonus has been in place since 1974. Employees at companies covered by collective bargaining agreements have a clear advantage here. Not only do they receive more vacation days, but they also receive the extra bonus for their travel fund much more frequently.
