seniors to the rescue of the labor market in Germany

In Germany, seniors are coming to the rescue of the labor market. A family-owned machine and tool company near Stuttgart has solved its staff shortage problem. It decided to appeal to employees over 50 years old. “Why deprive yourself of these people? They have lived a lot, they have a great professional experience”, explains Andreas Holz, the director of personnel, Tuesday, October 11. Some have even left their retirement to return to service. But even in Germany, prejudices are tenacious. Many employers fear that seniors are sick more often and less involved.

Britain is also facing a shortage of personnel. Typically, a farmer employs 750 seasonal workers to pick up his crops. “We have been missing 35 people since May. This is causing us to lose part of our asparagus harvest and onions“, he laments. With an unemployment rate of 3.5% at its lowest, unseen since 1974 in the United Kingdom, wages are no longer attractive enough. However, Brexit has complicated the use of foreigners.