Status: 08.03.2023 4:01 p.m
In the doldrums, many employees postpone switching to another company: According to a survey, every second HR manager complains about candidates who are unwilling to change jobs. However, this could be a temporary phenomenon.
The willingness of employees to switch to another company has fallen significantly. This is the result of a survey by the Federal Association of German Management Consultancies (BDU). According to this, every second HR manager now complains that the willingness of candidates to change jobs has decreased noticeably.
“We are increasingly seeing risk-averse employees who are postponing a change of employer to supposedly safer times,” said the chairman of the BDU specialist association for personnel consulting, Arne Adrian. “In addition, the labor market allows applicants willing to change to wait for the perfect position.”
labor market in Germany
As in January 2023, the unemployment rate in Germany was 5.7 percent in February. Overall, the job market is stable despite the tense economic situation, explained Andrea Nahles, head of the Federal Employment Agency. However, the ifo Institute points out that the number of people on short-time work rose by 9 percent to 220,000 in February. This is the highest number since June last year.
Searching for candidates has become more complex
The association complains that both together make the search for personnel even more challenging and time-consuming. “Candidates need to be highly motivated and persuaded for a job change to be seen as beneficial,” said Adrian.
On the other hand, the efforts of companies, organizations and administrations in the search for personnel remain high – despite all the critical framework conditions. In the current business climate survey by the Federal Association of German Management Consultancies (BDU), only every tenth headhunter states that the recruiting activities of the majority of customers have been completely stopped.
Job loyalty not so important for Generation Z
However, the high level of employee loyalty could be a temporary phenomenon. A recent survey conducted by management consultants McKinsey & Company – albeit in the USA – showed that employees of Generation Z, i.e. those born around the turn of the millennium, have already experienced four different jobs on average.
In contrast, the baby boomer generation only changes jobs in emergencies; on average, she has only had two different jobs in the last ten years. As baby boomers gradually retire, average job retention could therefore fall significantly. According to the Swiss insurance group Zurich Insurance, Generation Z is likely to provide around 27 percent of the global workforce by 2027.