Most Germans hope to advance within the hierarchies of their organisations. But only if it is line with their area of expertise and work experience.
Really different in Germany & USA
Vacation, taking sick days, maternity leave…work-life balance is really different in Germany & the USA.
So my question for you is: How do you feel about work-life balance? Is there anyone out there who prefers the way that it’s done in the U.S.? And people with children, what’s the parental leave been like where you’ve lived?
Compensation
Although compensation is important to Germans, it is only one of several factors which motivate them. Nor is it the most important. Germans simply want to be compensated fairly for their work.
Salaries in Germany
Many people are moving to Germany because the working conditions and salary are often much better than in their home country. See how much money you can expect to earn and get some insights from a German.
YouTube comments:
“After working in Germany for several years in different cities and PhD in STEM, I can tell you that salaries are not that high as people imagine. After considering expensive rents and high tax, your disposable income isn’t much. The benefits come from social benefits, usually nice working hours, paid holidays, healthcare, great cheap alcohol and peaceful country. If you seek making a lot of money, Germany isn’t your country. In Europe you probably have look north for higher salaries and Switzerland, in Asia, some highly developed countries like Singapore. If you have a high level of education and work for a good company in the USA and even sometimes in Latin America, are better places to make great money. But hey money isn’t everything, you need to evaluate pros- and cons.”
“While average income in Germany was relatively high in 2019 with ~€3500 as mentioned in the video, the median was much lower with just €2500 (gross income). That means that 50% of the German population earn less than €2500 (~€1700 after taxes and insurances). It’s also worth mentioning that you’re considered upper class with a net income of around €5500 gross income, but you have to pay the property tax with just a monthly income of around €4500 gross income. If you plan to buy real estate in Germany: Forget it.”
“I work in a big car company in Germany as Engineer… and I can tell you the salaries are not high compared to the very high rent (or apartment prices), taxes and high prices of Energy and Benzin in Germany. I really wonder how people here are able to live who get lower salaries. And at some point you have to save to buy a house or an apartment (with something like half a million Euro) because after geting retired, your income gets 60% lower and then you will not even afford the rent of your apartment. I saw retired people who had to move to smaller worse apartments or ask for social housing or shelters. I think life here is not as rosy as people in the third world think. What is worse is: I think the government and politicians in Germany do not care much about this problem, or act as if there is no poor people in Germany at all. Politicians in Germany are rather busy with saving the Earth, recycling and cutting CO2 as their main mission… helping the poor or the middle class in Germany comes as second priority.”
“From the US here and about to start my first job out of college in Germany. I’m going there for the quality of life, I don’t care that I can make more here — if I die tomorrow the extra savings means nothing, but a strong welfare/healthcare system, fewer stupid people, better infrastructure, lower crime rates, better work culture, decent politicians, beautiful nature and architecture, etc. will have made me enjoy my life every day. I want that peace of mind and I can’t get that here. Everything is fundamentally messed up here and nothing will change in a meaningful way anytime soon.”
Germans would rather travel than pursue a career
LinkedIn study examines what success means to employees. Happiness and health are more important than career advancement.
Contrary to the classic definition that success is synonymous with an influential position in a company and a lot of money, professional success plays a rather subordinate role for German employees. This was the result of a representative study commissioned by LinkedIn, which examined how Germans define success for themselves today.
According to this, success has an individual meaning for 66 percent of those surveyed. Just under a quarter of those surveyed see professional milestones as a success. Financial aspects such as a salary increase (16 percent) or a six-figure salary (12 percent) are rated even less important. Being happy (72 percent) or healthy (71 percent) is seen as the greatest achievement. For most people, the job serves as a way to have more freedom later. 17 percent would like to retire by 2027 and be able to actively shape it.
Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is of such extraordinary importance to Germans that it is embedded in their labor laws, in how their companies treat their employees, in their expectations as a society.
“Da müssen wir erst drüber nachdenken”
Da müssen wir erst drüber nachdenken. We’ll have to think about that first. Quick decisions are viewed with skepticism in Germany. It is customary for negotiating partners to request time for reflection before making a binding decision.
Eurozone Crisis
Angela Merkel, then German Chancellor, was the key negotiator during the Eurozone crisis, focusing on fiscal discipline and strict bailout conditions. His approach was structured, data-driven, and unwavering, reinforcing the German preference for rules, order, and predictability.
German Reunification Negotiations (1990)
The reunification of East and West Germany required complex negotiations involving the Four Allied Powers, NATO, and the Warsaw Pact. Chancellor Helmut Kohl and Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher employed a meticulously planned, methodical approach, preparing extensive legal frameworks to ensure a smooth transition. They insisted on clarifying every legal, financial, and political detail, ensuring that nothing was left open to interpretation.