short-time work
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short-time work
The temporary reduction of regular working hours in a company, usually for economic reasons. The affected employees receive short-time work benefits from the Federal Employment Agency as partial wage compensation in order to avoid layoffs.
Wegen der schlechten Auftragslage musste die Firma für die gesamte Belegschaft Kurzarbeit anmelden.
Because of the poor order situation, the company had to register short-time work for the entire workforce.
The word is made up of the adjective 'kurz' (short) and the noun 'die Arbeit' (work). So it literally describes a phase with reduced working hours.
Die Einführung von Kurzarbeit soll Arbeitsplätze sichern.
The introduction of short-time work is intended to secure jobs.
Certain verbs are often used with 'Kurzarbeit' (short-time work). A company can 'anmelden' (register) or 'einführen' (introduce) short-time work. Employees are then 'in Kurzarbeit' (on short-time work) or 'gehen in Kurzarbeit' (go on short-time work).
Unsere Abteilung musste letztes Jahr für drei Monate in Kurzarbeit gehen.
Our department had to go on short-time work for three months last year.
'Kurzarbeit' (short-time work) is closely connected with the term 'Kurzarbeitergeld' (short-time work allowance). This is the state wage replacement that employees receive for the lost working hours.
Ohne das Kurzarbeitergeld hätte er seine Miete nicht bezahlen können.
Without the short-time work allowance, he would not have been able to pay his rent.
part-time work
'die Teilzeit' (part-time work) and 'die Kurzarbeit' (short-time work) both have to do with shorter working hours. The difference lies in the reason and the duration. 'Teilzeit' is a normal form of employment: a person works less than full-time on a permanent or planned basis. 'Kurzarbeit', on the other hand, is temporary and often affects an entire company, usually because there are economic problems. In that case, regular working hours are reduced for a period of time. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases less work is done. As a practical rule: Teilzeit is a work model; Kurzarbeit is a special emergency solution in a company.
Wegen weniger Aufträge ist die Firma seit März in Kurzarbeit.
Because of fewer orders, the company has been on short-time work since March.
Bei der Bewerbung fragt Ali, ob die Stelle auch in Teilzeit möglich ist.
When applying, Ali asks whether the position is also possible part-time.