Mercedes-Benz has informed its workforce that they will need to extend their working hours without financial compensation, after recording a 17% drop in first-quarter profits. The company is also postponing a special payment scheduled for July until 2027. The union criticizes that workers are bearing the cost of the crisis. For the public, this adjustment shows that not even major German companies are safe from economic pressure.
Automation does not prevent production cuts 🤖
While Mercedes invests in robotic assembly lines and flexible production systems, the decision to extend working hours without a salary increase clashes with the promise that technology would reduce the workload. AI-assisted shift planning systems, which optimize work cadence, now prioritize efficiency at the expense of personal time. The paradox is clear: more automation does not mean fewer hours, but more pressure on the employee to maintain margins.
Mercedes' new premium feature: working for free 💸
It seems Mercedes has found true German luxury: having its employees give away their time. If before the extra was a special payment in July, now it is a patience bonus until 2027. Workers, of course, can take comfort knowing their extra effort will help maintain shareholder dividends. After all, who needs a salary when you have the honor of upholding the three-pointed star?