Mehrtaktarbeit

English translation: multi-cycle work

03:24 Jun 17, 2008
German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Manufacturing / Production Line Work
German term or phrase: Mehrtaktarbeit
From a collective bargaining agreement (see IG Metall website for samples). This term is used to contrast an improvement to "Taktarbeit".
Peter Manda (X)
Local time: 15:16
English translation:multi-cycle work
Explanation:
Taktarbeit = cycle work
Selected response from:

Vittorio Ferretti
Local time: 21:16
Grading comment
Both answers fit well. I am very grateful for the effort made. This was very helpful. I had thought of "multi-tasking"; but I think multi-cycle work is the more accurate choice. Thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2multi-cycle work
Vittorio Ferretti
3flexible work patterns
Eike Seemann DipTrans


  

Answers


2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
multi-cycle work


Explanation:
Taktarbeit = cycle work

Vittorio Ferretti
Local time: 21:16
Does not meet criteria
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
Both answers fit well. I am very grateful for the effort made. This was very helpful. I had thought of "multi-tasking"; but I think multi-cycle work is the more accurate choice. Thank you!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Eike Seemann DipTrans: not 100% sure, but it could be the one! Have a look here: http://books.google.de/books?id=auyT1ry9YZMC&pg=PA348&lpg=PA...
18 mins
  -> Thanks!

agree  Sabine Winter: Yes, and good reference from Eike!
23 hrs
  -> Thanks!
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46 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
flexible work patterns


Explanation:
depends a little on how you translate 'Taktarbeit' ?

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Note added at 1 hr (2008-06-17 04:40:24 GMT)
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it might involve slowing down the speed of the conveyor belt, at certain days of the week...
hence, as language variant, I propose '(more) flexible productivity (patterns)'

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Note added at 1 hr (2008-06-17 04:54:09 GMT)
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http://74.125.39.104/search?q=cache:ARjLbgSvmb0J:lexikon.mey...
(this article gave me the idea with the slower running conveyor belt...)

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Note added at 2 hrs (2008-06-17 05:37:43 GMT)
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@Chetan: Yes, I agree, 'variable' isn't bad at all...
however, 'variable' would include 'job rotation', which does not fall under 'Mehrtaktarbeit'...
but possibly s.th. like '(more) variable productivity (patterns)' would be an idea...

Eike Seemann DipTrans
Local time: 21:16
Does not meet criteria
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  casper (X): I wonder if the "Mehr-" part of the asked term is used more in the sense of "multiple" rather than "flexible"? Am just thinking aloud here...//Cheers, marinaio :-) Does "variable" sound any less negative?
22 mins
  -> cheers, I'm still in the thinking process :-), it's a tricky one... because the translation must convey that it's to the benefit of the worker...//both terms can have a 'negative' connotation, to the benefit of production costs not workers' welfare...
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