ebm-papst: German industrial fan leader lets employees work “whenever they want”

World leader in its section, ebm-papst group has recently launched, in its head office in Mulfingen (Baden-Württemberg), an extremely flexible working time system.  Indeed, the 1,000 employees involved in central services can come to work whenever they want, provided that customer service and at least 4 continuous daily hours are guaranteed.  Introduced at the beginning of the year, within the framework of a “contract to secure the site,” this system was negotiated with the WC of this company, which employs 11,000 people and makes 75 percent of its sales abroad.  In the German industry, similar working time models “based on trust” are starting to spread but none goes as far as this one.  The IG-Metall isn’t against it but is closely watching the supervision of these new forms of organization of labor, so that excess freedom doesn’t conceal excess work.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

“Anyone who controls their time is more effective at work and can free his/her creativity,” declares ebm-papst CEO Rainer Hundsdorfer. Work-life balance is important for our employees. With this new system, we’re also trying to appeal to candidates from the outside,” he explains. Staff manager Ralf Sturm adds that, because ebm-papst’s site are mostly in rural areas, and because of the absolute drop in the number of college graduates in Germany, the group has been focusing on its appeal as an

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
United Kingdom: Parliament finally passes Employment Rights Bill
The UK Labour government's flagship reform of employment rights was passed by both houses on 16 December after a turbulent parliamentary process. The bill introduces numerous changes to labour...
18 December 2025
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
EU: MEPs demand directive on algorithmic management
Members of the European Parliament have called for a directive on algorithmic management. Such legislation would introduce obligations for companies to inform employees, assess health and safety...
17 December 2025
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
EU: Commission launches consultation with social partners on quality jobs
On 4 December, the European Commission launched the first phase of consultation with social partners with a view to a European directive on jobs, which is scheduled for the end of 2026. It could...
4 December 2025
2
EDF bans alcohol on all its sites
From 1 January 2026, French energy giant EDF (180,000 employees) will prohibit alcohol consumption at all internal and external corporate events, from social gatherings to seminars. The policy...
26 November 2025
3
United Kingdom: government scraps plan to introduce ‘day one’ protection against unfair dismissal
The UK government announced on 27 November, in a statement, that it would not be introducing the right to challenge unfair dismissal (without cause) from the first day of employment in its...
3 December 2025
4
Poland: bill adopted to amend definition of psychological harassment
On 27 November, the Polish cabinet adopted a draft amendment to the labour code aimed at simplifying the definition of psychological harassment at work, or “mobbing” (Article 94 3)...
4 December 2025
5
EU: MEPs demand directive on algorithmic management
Members of the European Parliament have called for a directive on algorithmic management. Such legislation would introduce obligations for companies to inform employees, assess health and safety...
17 December 2025
6
Austria: European rules on wage transparency expected to cause a cultural shock
With the gender pay gap in Austria being the second largest in the European Union (18.3%), the Austrian government has promised to introduce a bill next spring to transpose the European directive...
27 November 2025