Opening clauses in sectoral collective agreements have become increasingly common to allow for some flexibility at the local and firm level. They delegate greater decision-making to the enterprise level and allow firms to undercut collectively agreed standards. Until the late 1990s opening clauses on working time were dominant while opening clauses on compensation are common today.
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16. October 2026 | Groups of Persons
Is the menopause a women’s issue only?
Dr Carola Burkert , Dana Müller , Dr. Hannah Steinberg , Marieke Volkert
Results from an IAB survey paint a strikingly clear picture: menopause is predominantly viewed not as an exclusively female or private issue, but as a topic that is relevant to both women and men. ...read more
9. September 2026 | Series "Covid-19 crisis: consequences for the labour market"
How working from home is reshaping Germany’s commuting and residential landscapes
Jun.-Prof. Sena Coskun, PhD , Professor Dr Wolfgang Dauth , Dr Hermann Gartner , Dr Michael Stops , Prof. Dr. Enzo Weber
The rise of remote working has been changing where people in Germany work and live, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. By making the daily commute in many cases unnecessary, working from home ...read more
18. August 2026 | Digital and ecological transformation
“Climate change will demand significant adjustments of the German labour market”
Prolonged heatwaves, severe storms, rising sea-levels in the North- and Baltic Seas, forest fires – these are arguably the most visible consequences of climate change in Germany. While the impact ...read more