Overview
- The 90-year-old Würth Group patriarch accused younger workers of being spoiled and warned that Germany risks decline without more effort and less entitlement.
- FOCUS said its Facebook sample showed readers divided between blaming a fading work ethic and citing high costs, taxes and pension insecurity as reasons to work less.
- Würth argued international comparisons show longer hours for lower pay elsewhere and higher sickness rates among German employees versus other industrialized nations.
- He framed Germany’s situation as part of a cycle of rise and decay and linked current attitudes to baby-boomer parenting, pointing to calls for a four-day week as symptomatic.
- Presenting preliminary figures, Würth reported 2025 sales of €20.7 billion, operating profit of €940 million and roughly 2,000 fewer employees after not refilling openings, while noting he still works and swims daily at age 90.