Required schedule for florists: working five days a week and additional holidays specified
In Germany, the floral industry predominantly employs women, who are tasked with creating arrangements, wreaths, and decorations for various occasions. Tino Brüning, district chairman, highlights the challenging nature of the job, citing long working hours, with most florists spending six days a week in the store, and limited vacation time, amounting to only 24 days annually.
Brüning also addresses overtime concerns, pressing for improvements in pay for those working beyond their usual hours. He claims that this is not uniformly implemented across all florists. In response, the union intends to engage in negotiations with the Association of German Florists (FDF) regarding these issues, with the ultimate goal of securing a collective bargaining agreement.
The union also highlights the multifaceted nature of the florist's role. Beyond the craftsmanship and knowledge required to create beautiful arrangements, florists must also manage inventory, make purchases, and calculate prices. These additional responsibilities add to the complexity of the job.
Moreover, florists often find themselves shoulder-to-shoulder with their customers during significant events such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals, setting the tone for these important moments with their professional work. The stress levels can particularly escalate during holidays.
While Germany has labor laws regulating working hours, including overtime, the specifics can vary depending on the employer and any collective agreements. At present, there is no exclusive collective bargaining agreement for florists. However, they are typically covered under broader retail sector agreements. The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and its affiliates, like the NGG (Gewerkschaft Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten), represent workers in the retail sector, including florists, though detailed information about florists is scarce.
- Tino Bruening suggests the need for enhanced finance in the form of fairer overtime pay for florists who work beyond their usual hours, as he finds it inconsistently applied in the workplace-wellness sector.
- Homes and gardens are often adorned with health-and-wellness products such as decorative plants and flower arrangements, many of which are crafted by florists who work long hours, providing a unique lifestyle aspect to this career.
- In order to address the multifaceted nature of a florist's role, which involves both craftsmanship and business management, as well as potential health-and-wellness concerns related to long working hours and stress, the union plans to enter negotiations with the Association of German Florists (FDF).
- The NGG, an affiliate of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), represents florists in the retail sector and advocates for their rights under labor laws and any relevant collective agreements, aiming to ensure better working conditions in the floral industry.
