The actual and desired working hours of women in western and eastern Germany were examined by surveying a random sample of 6,742 western and eastern German women aged 18-65 years. Of the women interviewed, 1,800 from western Germany and 1,341 from eastern Germany were in dependent employment. An overall response rate of 52.8% was achieved. Eighty-four percent of respondents in full-time employment in the West and 85% in full-time employment in the East were satisfied with their working hours. Only 16% and 15% of women employed full-time in the West and East, respectively, desired to work fewer hours. Of the women in part-time employment in the West, 27% considered themselves underemployed, 11% considered themselves "overemployed," and 62% were satisfied with the hours they worked. Of the women in part-time employment in the East, 55% considered themselves underemployed, 5% considered themselves "overemployed," and 40% were satisfied with the hours they worked. In the West, 58% of women who were not working were satisfied with their situation and 42% wanted to work. In the East, on the other hand, 80% of those who were not working wanted to work and only 20% were content not working. (Twenty-one tables/figures and 24 references are included.) (MN)