German Companies Going All Out to Keep Staff
Germany’s behemoths are pulling out all the stops—long holidays, shorter hours, flexible shifts, sabbaticals—because the job market’s as tight as a drum. Even though Germans already clock the fewest hours in the developed world, they’re offering perks that make the union buzz louder than a toddler in a shopping mall.
Deutsche Bahn’s “Choose Your Own Adventure” Bonus
- Choice 1: Six extra days of vacation (to go from 28‑30 to a whole new level of leisure).
- Choice 2: A 2.6% wage increase (bring the money home!)
- Choice 3: Trim the week by an hour (a fleck of freedom, but only 2% of workers went for it).
Out of 137,000 staff, 58% picked more holiday, 40% wanted the pay bump, and a smidge (just 2%) chose the 39‑to‑38 hour cut. Pretty much everyone says “I’d rather have a beach day than a bank account”.
Why Women Want Vacation More
Women split the workforce at Deutsche Bahn at just 23%—a slight lift from 22% in 2012. They’re pushing for 25% by 2020 because balancing work and life isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s a survival strategy.
Germany’s Work‑Hour Hymn
In 2016, German workers clocked an amazing 1,363 hours per person. Contrast that to:
- OECD average: 1,763 hours.
- USA: 1,783 hours.
- Mexico: 2,255 hours (the world record holders).
Germany’s advantage? A “work‑life‑life‑life balance”. That phrase rings true, except for the Deutsche Bahn crew, who average 1,600 hours a year and a 39‑hour week. The industrial sector gets a 35‑hour week so they have a chance to sleep in.
Union Negotiations: The 28‑Hour Test
IG Metall, the union for 3.9 million workers, pushed a 28‑hour week for up to two years to care for kids or loved ones. “We’re not just flexing, we’re making a fuss”.
Telecoms Add Bonus Days
Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE) sweetened the deal with 14 extra days off after agreeing to slash the work week to 36 hours.
No Vacancy Nightmare
Job openings in Germany surged 128,000 in 2017 to 1.18 million in the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bahn alone needs 19,000 new hires to replace retiring baby boomers, with 44% over 50 and 28% over 55. So recruitment isn’t a one‑off; it’s a marathon.
Digital Marketplace for Shift Swapping
By creating a digital marketplace, workers can:
- Swap shifts.
- Open a “time account” to stash unused days or overtime for future sabbaticals.
Flexibility appeals to parents and commuters looking to “work four long days and then have a long weekend”. Even when a train must depart on time, the crew adapts at a higher rate than one might guess.
“When the train leaves, somebody has to be on it,” Deutsche Bahn’s Sigrid Heudorf says. “But flexible scheduling works more often than you’d expect, and it makes employees feel part of the puzzle. They understand why limits exist.”
