Arbeitstag

Arbeitstag is a term used in German-speaking regions to denote a day on which regular work is performed. In contracts, payroll, project planning, and logistics, Arbeitstag is used to distinguish working days from calendar days or holidays.

Derived from Arbeit (work) and Tag (day), the term is closely related to Werktag (weekday). In everyday language the two are often used interchangeably, but Arbeitstag can carry a more concrete sense of a day when work actually takes place, depending on context and labor calendars. In some legal texts, Werktag is the preferred term; in other contexts, Arbeitstag is common in corporate or scheduling language.

Practically, the number of Arbeitstage in a given period depends on weekends and holidays. A typical month contains about 20 to 22 Arbeitstage, with holidays reducing the count. Deadlines stated in Arbeitstagen count only days when offices and workplaces are normally open, not weekends. For example, a notice period of five Arbeitstage ends after five working days, skipping Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, both terms are used, with Werktag often appearing in statutory texts, and Arbeitstag common in contracts and internal planning. The exact definition may vary by employer or jurisdiction.

See also Werktag, Kalendertag, Feiertag, Wochenende, Arbeitszeitgesetz.