Some German career and business media describe regular overtime as a sign that something is wrong in the organization. In January 2023 the tech magazine t3n called overtime ein Warnsignal, a warning sign. Now and then it is acceptable, the author wrote, but dauerhaft ist das ein Zeichen dafür, dass Dinge schieflaufen. Over time, it is a sign that things are going wrong. In July 2025 the HR magazine Personalwirtschaft wrote that many experts see overtime as a sign of poor leadership. The same article also noted: In vielen Chefetagen gelten Überstunden noch immer als Ausweis besonderen Engagements. In many executive suites, overtime still counts as proof of special commitment.