Arbeitszeitbox

  Copyright: © Martin Braun  

Practical Aids for the Organization of Working Time

 

Challenges

There is great potential in the design of flexible, demographically robust working time models, both for the competitiveness of companies and for the health, satisfaction, and work-life balance of their employees. The development and introduction of a working time model is very demanding due to the numerous design parameters, the large variety of models, and the sometimes conflicting objectives of employers and employees. Although most of the necessary knowledge is available on the Internet, it is widely distributed and often difficult for non-experts to understand. It is almost impossible for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in their daily operations, to come to grips with the subject quickly and to apply the available methods and tools.

Goals

The working time box, which is freely available on the web, is intended to remedy this situation. The aim of the project is to give a practical presentation of ergonomic findings and experiences from companies as well as existing instruments and concepts on the subject of working time. The most important design options for working time models are to be described in a way that is balanced and easily understandable for SMEs.

Methodology

The transfer project is being carried out by the IAW - Institut für Arbeitswissenschaft (Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics) at RWTH Aachen University - and the consulting firm d-ialogo in close cooperation with the "Offensive Mittelstand” and five companies from different sectors and of different sizes. The jointly developed potential analysis of working time enables SMEs to get a quick start on the topic. Furthermore, planning aids (e.g. simple Excel tools, apps, checklists, sample questionnaires, recommendations for action) and best practices are compiled and presented in a structured overview. The instruments and tools are tested together with the partners and made freely available in the ”Arbeitszeitbox” and its central landing page. In addition, the training of multipliers ensures the dissemination and use of the working time box and its tools. Furthermore, web media were created and offered to facilitate the exchange between participants and experts. These include short web-based training sessions in which the working time box tools are presented live, along with the opportunity to ask questions. In order to ensure things remain up to date, current findings, developments and tools are integrated into the Arbeitszeitbox and working time-relevant terms are revised and expanded in the Wikipedia encyclopedia.

Funding

The project is funded by the BMAS – Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs) – as part of the INQA – Initiative Neue Qualität der Arbeit (New Quality of Work Initiative) – and is supported by the BAuA – Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). The project management is carried out by gsub (Gesellschaft für soziale Unternehmensberatung mbh) in Berlin.

Project Partner

d-ialogo - partner für innovative qualifizierung + unternehmensentwicklung e.K., Wuppertal