- Bosch cuts working hours for 2,300 subsidiary employees
Due to the strained situation in the mobility sector, technology giant Bosch is reducing the working hours of 2300 employees at a subsidiary. The weekly working hours at Bosch Engineering will be reduced at all German locations, a company spokeswoman confirmed upon request. This is in line with a collective agreement signed with employee representatives in July.
Initially, the weekly working hours will be reduced from 40 to 37 hours starting in early October, with a further hour to be cut by January 1. Salaries will be adjusted accordingly. "The reduction in working hours is a response by Bosch Engineering to both existing overcapacities and high cost pressure," the company stated.
Approximately 2300 employees are affected in total, with around 2100 working at the subsidiary's headquarters in Abstatt near Heilbronn, and the rest at a location in Holzkirchen near Munich. The company does not adhere to the IG Metall collective agreement. Media had previously reported on this.
The Bosch subsidiary specializes in developments in the vehicle sector. Based on proven technology, the company develops individual mobility solutions for customers outside the automotive industry. Bosch Engineering offers products such as those for sports cars and trains. However, it also develops sensors for assistance systems in agricultural machinery, engines for vineyard tractors, and electrified boat drives.
Bosch on austerity measures
In recent months, Bosch has announced plans to cut thousands of jobs worldwide, totaling more than 7000. Many of these cuts affect German locations, including areas of the automotive supply sector, as well as the power tools division and the BSH home appliances subsidiary.
In the automotive supply sector, Bosch had previously planned to reduce thousands of employees' working hours from 40 to 35 hours. The company cited maintaining competitiveness as the main reason for these plans. However, around 25,000 employees nationwide protested against these plans in mid-March. Negotiations have since softened these austerity measures.
Despite Bosch's focus on austere measures in various sectors, the company's subsidiary in Holzkirchen also plans to make adjustments. Beginning in early October, wooden churches in the area might notice a change as Bosch Engineering employees will reduce their weekly working hours from 40 to 37 hours. By January, this will further decrease to 36 hours, affecting approximately 20 employees working at the Holzkirchen location.
