One of the reasons why shortened work (Kurzarbeit) worked for Germany is that the government subsidizes it by paying the workers back some of their lost income, on the rationale that it's better to subsidize them for a short time rather than for them to become unemployed for a potentially long time.
The maximum duration of this Kurzarbeitergeld was gradually extended through the 2007-2009 crisis from 12 months up to 24 months.
The maximum duration of this Kurzarbeitergeld was gradually extended through the 2007-2009 crisis from 12 months up to 24 months.