German workers choose more time off 


The latest figures from Germany’s largest union, IG Metall, show that a growing number of workers are choosing to have more time off rather than more money.


The settlement at the start of 2018 allowed workers to choose between an additional holiday bonus, worth 27.5% of their monthly pay, and an extra eight days’ holiday. 


In 2019, 260,000 chose extra holiday; in 2020, it is 340,000 — a 31% increase. 


The agreement covers around 3.8 million workers, but only some have the right to choose the extra time off.