The most important HR news for November 2025: What's moving the HR world in November 2025? We summarize the three most important topics for small and medium-sized businesses – compact, understandable, and without marketing fluff.
1. 4-Day Work Week: First Results from Germany
The 4-day work week is no longer just theory. After a six-month pilot project with 45 German companies, the first numbers are in – and they're surprising.
The facts: Of the participating companies, 73% want to keep the model permanently. The most common results:
- Productivity: Remained the same or even increased slightly in 89% of cases
- Sick leave: Decreased by an average of 12%
- Applications: Increased by an average of 35%
- Employee satisfaction: Increased measurably in all companies
What does this mean for SMEs?
The 4-day work week isn't a miracle cure, but it's an interesting model for industries facing skills shortages. Important: It doesn't work equally well in all areas. Manufacturing companies with shift work have significantly more difficulties than service providers or IT companies.
Note: The legal framework in Germany has not yet been finalized. Anyone who wants to test the model should seek employment law advice beforehand.
2. Time Tracking: Federal Labor Court Clarifies Obligations
The Federal Labor Court issued an important ruling on time tracking at the end of October – and the requirements are clearer than expected.
What was decided
Employers must provide a system that records the start, end, and duration of working hours daily. Trust-based working hours without tracking are thus effectively no longer possible.
Important:
- Electronic systems are not mandatory – Excel or paper also count in theory
- However, recording must be done promptly (on the same or next working day)
- Employers bear the burden of proof during inspections
- Violations can be fined up to €30,000
What should SMEs do now?
If you don't have digital time tracking yet: Now is the time. Excel spreadsheets are allowed but error-prone and difficult to defend during audits.
Digital solutions offer additional benefits: Automatic break times, overtime calculation, mobile tracking for field staff and home office. The investment usually pays off within just a few months through time savings.
3. Skills Shortage: The Numbers Are Becoming More Dramatic
The skills shortage continues to intensify. According to the current DIHK report, German companies are currently missing 1.7 million skilled workers – a new record high.
The most affected industries
| Industry | Open Positions | Avg. Time to Fill |
|---|---|---|
| IT & Software | 243,000 | 187 days |
| Healthcare & Nursing | 421,000 | 156 days |
| Skilled Trades | 315,000 | 142 days |
| Logistics | 198,000 | 98 days |
What helps against the skills shortage? The good news: SMEs can score points with clever strategies, even without huge budgets.
What really works:
- Flexibility: Home office, flexible working hours, part-time options
- Speed: Application processes under 3 weeks are a must
- Training: Hire career changers and train them internally
- Benefits: Not just salary – extra vacation days, company bike programs, company pension plans
- Employer branding: Show what it's really like working for you (authentic, not perfect)
Particularly important: The average time-to-hire is currently 165 days. That's far too long. Companies that decide faster get the better candidates.
Conclusion
November 2025 brings one thing above all: clarity on time tracking. If you're still using Excel, you should act now. The 4-day work week remains exciting but isn't standard yet. And the skills shortage? It's not getting better – making it all the more important to remain attractive as an employer.
Quick notes: Starting January 2026, the statutory minimum wage will increase to €13.90/hour (previously €12.82). The home office allowance remains at €6/day, maximum €1,260/year. The income limit for parental allowance will not be adjusted and remains at €300,000 combined annual income.
By the way: With digital HR tools like Emplovia, you can master many of these challenges much more easily.
Which topic is currently on your mind the most? Write to us – we'd be happy to address your questions in the next HR News.