Arbeitszeitbetrug: 40 Stunden bezahlt werden, 20 arbeiten – So betrügen Arbeitnehmer ihre Chefs

"Arbeitszeitbetrug" is a prevalent issue, with 40 hours paid but only 20 actually worked – workers deceive their bosses. All that's required for this trick is a watch with a second hand, affixed to a computer mouse. As the second hand spins, a red light on the mouse simulates continuous mouse movement, indicating that the worker is busy.

This creates the appearance of availability in the company's internal communication platform, Teams. Elias Cos, one such worker, does not work the full eight hours as per his contract but instead toils between four and five hours daily. After work, he engages in various activities, such as laundry, cleaning, or exercising. Despite his aversion to deceit, Cos acknowledges that the simplicity of the trick leads to its success.

To address the issue of workplace deception, one must understand the motivations behind it. When employees pretend to work when they're not, it constitutes workplace deception, which involves activities like shopping, fitness sessions, or manipulating work hours during leisure time. Workplace deception harms companies significantly, as every minute not spent working translates to lost productivity and increased absenteeism.

Work-related deception operates like a virus, spreading to colleagues who may also reduce their efforts, fearing to be perceived as "dummies." In court, workplace deception is taken seriously due to its potential for substantial harm, leading to frequent cases in labor courts with severe consequences for employment relationships.

In 2022, a German labor court ruled that an employee had been unjustly terminated for clocking herself during smoking breaks. In 2023, another court upheld a dismissal of a cleaning staff member who took a coffee break at a different location in front of the company. In 2024, another labor court in Lower Saxony dismissed a labor council representative who attended only half of a three-day training course while claiming full participation.

Many employees may be unaware of their deception, but vengeful workplace deception can still lead to termination. A LinkedIn article published by the Handelsblatt garnered over 30 responses from men who confessed to contractually obligated 40-hour workweeks but worked less than 20 hours. These individuals expressed guilt, a sense of inadequacy, and a desire to explain their actions.