Punching in or Burning Out? The Influence of Working Time Recording on Temporal Boundarylessness and Working Time Control

Introduction: Since the European Court of Justice's 2019 ruling, the issue of recording working hours has sparked heated debate in Germany. Some argue that recording work hours can help establish clearer time boundaries, while others contend that it reduces employees' flexibility and autonomy, resembling a return to traditional time clocks. The Effort-Recovery Model (Meijman & Mulder, 1998) suggests that accurately assessing the effort employees put into their work and their subsequent need for recovery is essential for managing stress, preventing burnout, and supporting overall well-being. However, this theory has yet to be empirically tested. This study examines the relationship between working time recording and factors such as temporal boundarylessness, recovery, control over work hours, and work-life balance.

Methods: The analyses are based on data from the BAuA- Working Time Survey, which includes representative samples of employees aged 15–65 from 2019 (n = 8,622), 2021 (n = 17,761), and 2023 (n = 9,775). The survey is conducted through computer- assisted telephone interviews (CATI), with all responses collected via self-report. Employees were asked whether their working hours are a) recorded by their company, b) documented by themselves, or c) not recorded at all. Temporal boundarylessness is assessed through various demanding work conditions, such as long hours, overtime, short rest periods, weekend work, atypical hours (outside 7 am–7 pm), and availability beyond regular working hours. Work-life balance satisfaction is measured using a single item, while working time control is assessed using Val-cour’s (2007) scale. The analyses explore the prevalence of working time recording across the three survey waves and different employee groups (e.g., knowledge workers, remote workers) using (cross-sectional) OLS regression as well as (longitudinal) fixed-effects regression analysis with predictive margins.

Results: Not recording working hours is linked to various aspects of temporal boundaryless work. Employees without time recording are more likely to work long hours, have shorter rest periods (less than 11 hours), and work on weekends. They are also more frequently contacted outside regular working hours in their private time. Additionally, employees who do not record their hours report lower satisfaction with work-life balance. Interestingly, employees who record their working hours report having greater control over their working time compared with those who do not record their hours.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the significance of recording working hours for promoting a healthy work structure and sufficient recovery. Contrary to many employers' expectations, employees without time recording do not have greater control over their working hours; in some cases, those who record their time actually report more influence over their schedules. However, the study has limitations, including potential common method bias due to self-reported data.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
08. Oktober 2025