“Germany!”Our CEO exclaimed. “60% of the complaints about management come from Germany – more than from any other country. Far more than from any other country. But – the absolute lowest attrition rate, 1.1%, is in Germany.”
He pretended to be baffled by this apparent contradiction: the biggest complainers were the least likely to leave the company. The rationale is actually very simple – German Labor Law:
- You can’t fire people in Germany for expressing their opinion.
- Workforce reduction in Germany is very expensive and may reduce the ‘wrong people’; management can’t pick and choose.
- The lack of flexibility in the labor market makes companies reluctant to hire full-time staff. This corporate reluctance contributes to individual reticence to leave an existing job – even if one that is not pleasant. The corporate and individual views reinforce each other to maintain the status quo.
Our company, certainly not interested in a very expensive work force reduction program is trying an alternative approach.
“The only approved company car will be a VW Golf.” I was told.
“Hmm..” I replied – pensively.
“In Germany, Dan, a car is not just a means of transportation. It reflects status and importance, competence and success levels. Can you imagine on of our sales people showing up at Deutsche Telecom, or DHL, or Beyer or Airbus in a Golf? A Golf!”
The photo is the Heidelberg Castle. Some things in Germany didn't make it through the middle ages.
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