Bodden Bau in Greifswald: Four-day week impresses with many advantages!

Bodden Bau in Greifswald: Four-day week impresses with many advantages!

In an innovative step, Bodden Bau GmbH from Greifswald introduced a four-day week a year ago, which is not entirely new in the construction industry, but is a first for all areas of the company. Managing director Jan Bokelmann, who will soon be resigning from his position for personal reasons, reports on the positive effects of this working time model on employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction. “We have introduced a reduction in working hours from 40 to 37 hours with full wage compensation,” explains Bokelmann. Employees work Monday through Thursday, with hours extended by half an hour on these days to maintain full pay.

The result? Over 98% of the workforce agreed to the measure and the feedback has been consistently positive. “We expect long-term effects that not only affect employee satisfaction, but also increase our attractiveness as an employer,” says Bokelmann. Offers such as a monthly health budget of between 300 and 900 euros, a daily breakfast and company cars for apprentices optimize the conditions for the around 60 employees, including roofers, system mechanics and tilers.

Sustainable success in craftsmanship

Steffen Marten, a project manager and former tiler, emphasizes that the introduction of the four-day week allows employees to focus better on other things, such as master training. The usable time window on Friday is particularly advantageous for further developing your professional qualifications. The company has tripled its workforce in recent years and particularly benefits from employee recommendations. “About half of our new colleagues come through recommendations from existing employees,” says Marten.

The high quality of the training is also demonstrated by Lucas Gurwell, who has been training as a plant mechanic since September 2023. He was originally more interested in studying computer science, but he is extremely happy with his decision. This is also related to the need to attract young people to the trades, as demographics mean that twice as many people will retire in the next 15 years as the number of young people coming.

A reaction to the shortage of skilled workers?

In times of skilled labor shortages, the introduction of the four-day week may seem like a strategic move. However, the discussion about such models is becoming increasingly heated. According to a report by the IAB Forum, reduced working hours could increase employer attractiveness, but at the same time there are concerns that this could be counterproductive for the economy as a whole. The design of these working time models is crucial. Flexibility and customization could be crucial to meet market demands while also considering the needs of workers.

Bodden Bau has already seen positive effects such as increasing employee satisfaction, increased motivation and productive work efficiency. If we look at the coming years, this four-day week model could act as a pilot project for other companies that want to overcome similar challenges. So let's pay attention to developments and see whether there are any imitators in the region. The signs point to flexible working – and Bodden Bau has shown a good hand.