Average weekly working hours

Calculating Average Weekly Working Time: Here’s How

The average weekly working time is an important metric used in many professional and legal contexts. It helps compare working hours, identify overtime, and check compliance with legal regulations. In this article, you will learn how the average weekly working time is calculated, why it is important, and which factors play a role.

What does average weekly working time mean?

The average weekly working time describes the number of hours an employee works per week. This can be defined by the actual working hours or the contractual agreed working time. It also takes into account any deviations such as vacation, illness, or public holidays, provided they are relevant for the calculation period.

How is the average weekly working time calculated?

The calculation depends on whether the contractual working time (contractually specified) or the actual working time (actually performed) is to be determined. Here are the basic steps:

1. Calculation based on contractual working hours

Average weekly working time = total working time divided by the number of weeks in the period.

Example:

• An employee has a working time of 40 hours per week.

• Over a month, this results in an average weekly working time of 40 hours, as this is set.

2. Calculation based on actual working hours

For variable working times, as often occurs in project work or part-time jobs, the calculation is a bit more complex. Here you sum the actual hours worked and divide them by the number of weeks:

Average weekly working time = sum of hours worked divided by the number of weeks in the period.

Example:

• Over a period of 4 weeks, an employee works 38, 42, 36, and 40 hours.

• The total hours amount to 38+42+36+40 = 156 hours.

• Average weekly working time: 156÷4 = 39 hours.

Why is the average weekly working time important?

1. Compliance with legal regulations

The Working Time Act (ArbZG) in Germany stipulates that the maximum average working hours must not exceed 48 hours per week. By calculating the weekly working time, you can ensure that this limit is maintained.

2. Overtime management

The calculation of the average working time helps to identify overtime and take appropriate measures, whether through compensation or time off in lieu.

3. Comparison of working models

The average weekly working time is an important basis for comparing full-time and part-time models or assessing the efficiency of different shifts.

4. Capacity planning

Employers use this metric to plan work capacities and avoid bottlenecks. Modern tools like Sundae OS offer digital solutions to automatically record working hours and calculate the average weekly working time.

Factors that influence the calculation

Several factors play a role in calculating the average weekly working time:

1. Public holidays

Public holidays reduce the contractual working time, as these days are usually non-working days.

Example:

• A 40-hour week with a public holiday on a regular workday results in: 40−8 = 32 hours for that week.

2. Vacation and illness

Vacation and sick days count towards the contractual working time, as they are considered working time.

3. Break times

Breaks are not working time and must be deducted in the calculation. According to the Working Time Act, the following applies:

• 30 minutes break for more than 6 hours of working time,

• 45 minutes break for more than 9 hours of working time.

4. Flexible working time models

Shift work or variable weekly hours require detailed documentation to correctly calculate the average working time.

Digital support for the calculation

The manual calculation of the average weekly working time can be time-consuming, especially with variable working hours. Digital tools like Sundae OS simplify the process by:

• Automatically recording working hours,

• Taking into account public holidays and break times,

• Creating overviews of the average working time.

Practical tips

1. Document working hours: Regularly keep track of your working hours, ideally with a time tracking tool.

2. Record overtime: Also note additional hours worked to keep an overview of your actual working time.

3. Include public holidays and vacation days: Reduce the contractual working time accordingly to obtain a realistic result.

Conclusion

Calculating the average weekly working time is not only important for compliance with legal regulations but also for efficient work planning. Whether for analyzing overtime, planning capacities, or comparing working models – this metric provides valuable insights. With digital solutions like Sundae OS, the calculation and recording can be done quickly and accurately, allowing you to focus on more important matters.