Made In Germany? 70 Percent Just 'Work To the Rule' Says A New Study.

Spiegel-Online ^ | January 19, 2004 | Spiegel-Online

[longjack]

FRUSTATION ON THE JOB

70 Percent Just Work to the Rule

Just twelve per cent of the employees in German firms are dedicated and satisfied with their job, 18 per cent have already resigned internally. These are the results of a representative poll.

Potsdam - Due to lack of commitment at work - such as, for example, high absenteeism and low productivity - Germany incurs annual overall economic damages of 247 billion to 260 billion Euros, concludes a study by the management consultancy firm, Gallup, in Potsdam. This corresponds approximately to the federal budget for 2004 (257.3 billion euros), which was passed by the Bundestag at the end of November .

In 2002, the proportion of dedicated workers had been at 15 per cent, instead of 12 per cent. "The downward trend can be explained by the general economic situation", said Gerald Wood, the managing director of Gallup Germany. Within Germany, employees in the south tended to be more motivated than in the rest of the country. 14 per cent of the employees in Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg find their work satisfactory, according to the survey. In mid- and northern Germany, the percentage is 12 percent, in the East German states, generally at ten per cent. "Executives in the south are perhaps better skilled at motivating employees", Wood said.

70 per cent of Germans, on the other hand, just "work to the rule", 18 per cent have already given up internally. Poor management is the most important reason for the frustration of many employees. "In Germany, the dialog between corporate management and workers is worse than it generally is in the USA", Wood said. Laborious work practices and too few promotions are further reasons for the lacking motivation.

The situation in the USA is different than in Germany: There, 30 per cent of employees claimed to have a high emotional attachment to their job. Canada (24 per cent), Israel (20), Australia (18) and Great Britain (17) follow in the top group. Japan (9 per cent), France (6) and Singapore (4) rank behind Germany.

Gallup questioned a total of 2001 men and women at least 18 years old in Germany in June and July 2003. Gallup, with headquarters in Washington, has 56 branches worldwide.

© SPIEGEL ONLINE 2004

"Spiegel-Online"....70 Prozent machen nur Dienst nach Vorschrift

 Translated by longjack

[longjack]

A sad commentary.

In a socialist system where careers are planned early and career changes are difficult, this must be a living hell .

In spite of 4, 5 or 6 weeks of vacation.

longjack

[longjack]

German Ping.

longjack

[longjack]

ping.

longjack

[jimtorr]

In a socialist system where careers are planned early and career changes are difficult.....

Shrillary & Company want this for USA, as well. Remember the School to Work program?

[Twinkie]

Nothing against anybody, but I think sometimes
the German rigidity goes against the human side
of things.

[blanknoone]

The funny thing is....Germany is the 'economic engine' of Europe.

[crz]

And the USA isnt far behind I see. No shock there. When 70-80% of your earnings are stolen by your elected officials to line their pockets, it makes for a hard pill to swallow going to work each day.

[FrogMom]

It won't be when the USA pulls completely out of there, it'll fall on its ass.

[goodnesswins]

And, from what I understand, it's NIGH IMPOSSIBLE to get rid of an under/badly performing employee in Germany.... they get shoved into a backroom to make them quit, is what I've heard...

[kittymyrib]

Make sure your Mercedes is made in America. Germany produces a lot of junk these days.

[goodnesswins]

My "mercedes?".....LOL...ROFL.....ROFLMBO....AS if.

[cajungirl]

I don't think they steal 70 to 80 % of your income. Unless of course, you are living somewhere else. I think it is the normal state of affairs that most people don't really like their jobs, its just a living. Only the few who are in charge, creative, making things happen like what they do. Most just go and get their paycheck.

[Seruzawa]

18 per cent have already resigned internally.

Sounds like US Fed Civil Service! Except that in Civil Service more like 50% have resigned internally.

I've felt all along that those who worry about the economic power of a united Europe were wasting their time. When you look at the ridiculous and lazy welfare state mentality of the average European worker you can see that it's only a matter of time until these nations collapse in ruin. Didn't the PM of the Czech Republic make some statement about Europeans being stuck in a fantasy land of a cradle to grave free ride to prosperity?

These nations are still running on the inertia of the hard workers who rebuilt Europe after the devastation of WWII. Their younger generation is way too fond of vacations. What good is free healthcare if all the providers are "resigned internally"? If everyone goes on the dole then everything comes to a screeching halt.

[americanbychoice]

silly statement. I bet you couldn't substantiate that?

[riri]

My husband worked for a subsidiary of his company in Germany.

They had another American there who ran the shipping a receiving department.He was there for like 6 years. A work horse, worked 12 hour days, rarely called in sick, good attitude, etc. The Germans hated him.

So when the company sent my husband and another head honcho over, first thing the head honcho decides is-it is time for the shipping American to go home, he is costing too much as an expat.

So, he leaves and a German man fills the position. First thing he does is announce that Fridays are short days ending at 3:00, brings in a fridge, stocks with food and beer. Next thing they know, the whole apartment is drunk half the time.

[discostu]

I'm working to the rule right now. That's life sometimes, it's not hell it's just boring.

[longjack]

I'm lucky, my job isn't locale/company dependent, so I can move anywhere if I want (or hvae the bllas [yes, I read that spelling thread]) to.

I always hated those places I worked where the 'work to the rule' philosophy was dominant. I also had friends in Germany who hated what they did but were locked into the system, so to speak. They were miserable. No or a bleak future. That's why this article interested me so much.

At least here we have more freedom to switch careers if we have or need to. It's also easier over here to convert a hobby or an aptitude into a career, I think.

longjack

[discostu]

The work to the rules philosophy isn't dominant here, there's just no reason to put extra effort into things. Towing the company line is the easy route to raises and a good way to avoid promotions (which usually don't involve raises). It's the kind of place that makes you value you're time off. It's only miserable when I start giving a crap, as long as I keep that layer of defense it's a comfortable chair and fast internet connection.

Eventually I plan to flee and try to get a job I can like again, it is more fun that way.

Misspell all you want, just don't try to tell me programmers don't need to spell well ;)

[Lael]

So, he leaves and a German man fills the position. First thing he does is announce that Fridays are short days ending at 3:00, brings in a fridge, stocks with food and beer. Next thing they know, the whole apartment is drunk half the time.

riri,

What I don't get is what stops European companies from "outsourcing"???

It would seem to make more sense over there!

[longjack]

Don't you love the debugger stopping at endod? :>)

I was referring to the FR thread this morning, I don't know if you got to see it.

You May Tnihk Tihs is a Sapm Pnostig, But I'ts Nto! Cchek Tihs Otu.

Wlel, how do you tnihk the dbeguegr wlil hndlae taht?

lnojgcak