In 2020, the Executive Board of Freie Universität Berlin decided to enter into negotiations with employee representatives seeking to make working hours more flexible. To date, the university management has not been able to engage in any noteworthy discussions with employee representatives about making working hours more flexible. Ideas or suggestions about potential employee needs have only been put forward by university management.

A survey was therefore conducted in summer 2023 to determine what kind of changes employees at Freie Universität Berlin would specifically like to see in their everyday work. It also addressed their needs and concerns if such changes were to be implemented. Making working hours and their place of work more flexible was a key issue. The results of the survey provide a basis for the university management to begin new talks with employee representatives about making working hours more flexible. They are also seeking to reach an agreement on how to adapt the old employment agreements or draw up new employment agreements on working hours and place of work. 

Based on the survey, the university management has already suggested several dates for talks and negotiations to staff representatives, who have so far not responded. For this reason, the previous draft of the Flex Employment Agreement was revised once again by the university management and aspects brought to light in the survey have been added. This draft has been submitted to the staff representatives together with a declaration stating that costs for external legal advice will be covered.

In contrast to the Flex Employment Agreement, the negotiations for the Telework Employment Agreement recently got off to a very successful start. Both parties introduced a large number of amendments. Despite the many suggested changes, constructive and focused negotiations took place that have shown a willingness to compromise on both sides. While a few outstanding points remain, room for compromise can also be seen in those areas. 

These points do, however, still need to be finalized for both parties. This means that we cannot say when an agreement is likely to be reached nor when it will be concluded. Still, the two sides have never been closer to settling this employment agreement.