Core working hours refers to an attendance requirement set by the employer. It does not cover the entire scheduled working time, but rather allows employees to choose more freely when to start and end their work. To maintain this flexibility, core working hours should not exceed six hours.
The obligation to be present does not necessarily have to be understood spatially. If the employer allows it, core working time can also be spent in the home office. It is essential that the employee is available during this period.
Core working hours are often implemented as part of flexitime models. In addition to fixed working hours, there are flexible hours that allow you to organize your working time flexibly within certain limits. Here you can find out more about the flexible working model.
In some companies, the core working hours are adjusted to the seasons, for example with shorter core hours in summer and longer in winter. It may also vary depending on the department, for example whether peak times need to be taken into account.
How does core working time work in practice?
Employers can structure core working hours flexibly as long as they do not exceed six hours. Typical examples are periods such as 10:00 – 16:00. o 12.00 – 14.00 Outside these hours, employees can freely organize their working hours.
Unlike classic flexitime, core working hours do not strictly limit the start or end of working hours. Employees can take longer breaks before or after core working hours, which creates additional flexibility.
Who determines them? Does it have to be contractually agreed?
There are no legal regulations for core working hours. Employers are therefore free to decide when core working hours begin and end. However, the consent of the works council is required. Without a works council, core working hours can be introduced via official instructions.
Core working hours are rarely recorded in individual employment contracts, but in some cases it may make sense.
Why main working hours?
Core working hours have proven to be an effective means of better coordinating working hours. The advantages are many:
Optimizing collaboration
Core working hours ensure that teams are available at the same time at specific times. This simplifies the organization of meetings, speeds up decision-making processes and promotes efficiency in projects
Reliability for customers and partners
For customer-oriented companies, the main working hours offer fixed service hours. Customers and business partners benefit from clear time windows in which the availability of contact persons is guaranteed.
Flexibility compared to rigid models
While fixed work hours often leave less flexibility, core work hours allow for a combination of structure and flexibility. Employees can individually organize their working day outside of core hours without endangering the company organization.
When does core working hours make the most sense?
Core working hours are particularly suitable for companies that benefit from synchronous working hours, for example in production, logistics, customer service or project-based activities.
Core working hours can also make sense in companies with hybrid working models or home office components to ensure some presence. Additionally, some companies use core work hours to create a clear separation between meeting time and targeted work time.
How do core working hours work for part-time?
The main working time for part-time workers depends on the distribution of working hours: if an employee works a few days a week, but 8 or 9 hours, the established main working time can easily be respected. However, the situation is different if employees spread their working hours over the entire week and, for example, only work half days.
There are different ways to manage this version of part-time:
- Employers and employees establish individual core working hours for these employees when the employee is needed most.
- Part-time employees only occupy the first or second half of the main working time. So they can take care of half the main working time and half the free working time.
- Part-time employees are only employed during peak hours and only work during core business hours.
What happens if key working hours are not respected?
Failure to comply with key working hours can have various consequences. Depending on whether the absence is justified, unjustified or repeated several times:
- Absence with valid reason
Employers can tolerate absences during core working hours if they are agreed in advance or if they are absolutely necessary. Examples include doctor visits that cannot be scheduled outside of business hours.
In some companies a deviation from the home office can be tolerated as long as work results are not affected.
- Unjustified absence
Anyone who regularly fails to observe key working hours without prior agreement violates the employment contract or company regulations. This may initially result in a warning.
Repeated unjustified absences or serious violations may result in consequences under employment law, including dismissal.
- Impact on the team
A lack of presence can disrupt collaboration, for example if important meetings or coordination cannot take place. This affects workflow and can lead to frustration within the team.
- How employers can respond
Employers should remind employees in time about the importance of core working hours and establish exceptions, e.g. for emergencies. You can also check certain deviations individually so as not to interrupt operational processes.
In the case of unjustified absences, it is important to document the violations to create a legally secure basis for possible measures.
Respecting key working hours is essential for effective collaboration within the company. While legitimate absences are generally tolerated, repeated violations can lead to serious employment law consequences.
Recording time for key working hours: Here’s how it works
Especially for small companies with mobile teams, organizing and documenting key working hours can quickly become confusing. When did the employees actually work? How do you reliably document compliance with key deadlines? And how to avoid conflicts if working hours are not recorded correctly?
This is where clockin comes in: with the clockin digital time recorder you efficiently and legally document the key working hours of your team, whether on the road or stationary in the office. Employees can record their working hours flexibly and easily directly in the app. Core, flex and target times can be set individually and displayed transparently.
And the best thing: you will be automatically notified as soon as key deadlines are exceeded or missed. No more worrying about lost sheets of paper or confusing tables – clocking will take the work off your hands as an employer. With intuitive software that processes all data automatically and of course meets the legal requirements for data protection.