For many employers, the effects of the corona pandemic are still being felt. bild: getty images / BartekSzewczyk Analyse

There is currently a shortage of staff in many sectors. Despite falling infection rates and hospitalization rates, this is largely due to the corona pandemic. The seven-day incidence is still around 326 new infections. However, the number of unreported cases could be a lot higher, since many sick people no longer officially report their corona infection and there are generally fewer tests.

After more than two years of the pandemic and several waves of infection of varying intensity, many businesses have not yet fully recovered.

In an interview with watson, employers report on how their staff is currently doing and what challenges they are facing.

hairdressing craft

Heiko Schneider is a hairdresser and runs a business with almost 30 employees in Hoyerswerda, Saxony. He reports to watson that the number of cases of illness has increased noticeably since the corona pandemic: 'Before Corona, we always had an average of two employees who were ill at the same time. Now it's regularly four a week. There are various reasons for this. Not all cases of illness are also corona cases, but they add up.'

The hairdressing trade is a body-related service - a problem in Corona times. image: unsplash

About one out of four sick leave is due to Corona, says Schneider. But not only direct cases of illness have an impact on the company: 'A large part of our workforce are mothers with children. And then the illnesses of the employees add up to those of the employees children of the employees.' In addition, of course, not only employees get sick, but also the customers.

Schneider states:

'The biggest task that we have to do every day is to postpone appointments. That can't be maintained in normal operations, it feels like emergency operations all the time. On the one hand, there are too few employees, and on the other On the other hand, changing customer appointments. Most companies are running about ten to 20 percent below their level before the corona pandemic.'

The hairdressing companies are not only suffering financially. The employees are also mentally affected by the pandemic, as Schneider explains: 'You can tell how exhausted she is company after two years of corona pandemic. There is an increased number of diseases of all kinds.'

'Our industry is facing existential concerns. At the moment, for example, rising energy prices are causing us problems.' Heiko Schneider, hairdresser

In order to compensate for the loss of staff due to illness, you have to have enough employees and accommodate them when it comes to their working hours. 'With our nearly 30 employees, we have about 18 different shift models. In order to compensate for sick leave and part-time work, we have to offer employees a high level of flexibility.' , says Schneider. This increased the planning effort considerably.

It is not only the personnel problem that is a burden for the companies, the energy crisis has recently made it even more difficult for hairdressing salons. Schneider summarizes: 'Our industry is facing existential concerns. At the moment, for example, rising energy prices are causing us problems.'

bus and train

There is also a shortage of staff in local public transport. One of the reasons for this is the high level of sick leave during the corona pandemic, as the press spokesman for the Berlin transport company, Jannes Schwentu, confirmed when asked by Watson. He says: 'For a while there has no longer been an obligation to report to the employer. However, we are very sure that Corona has a major impact on sick leave. We know that from the voluntary reports.'

As in many sectors, there are currently problems with young people in local public transport. bild: getty images / Fernando Valero Lopez

Due to the increased number of sick leave, the performance of the Berlin bus lines will be reduced by three percent - but only after the end of the summer holidays. In Berlin is this August 22nd The timetable changes should remain predictable. ' These three percent are more than we would like and it also hurts a bit, but it's better if the routes can be planned,' explains Schwentu. In this way, the passengers would have enough time in advance to prepare themselves.

'The labor market is very tight, also in other transport companies.' Jannes Schwentu, BVG press spokesman

At the beginning of the year, BVG had to scale back its overall operations by around five percent. This was partly due to the Corona winter wave, which Germany rolled over at that point. But there are other long-term problems in the industry. 'Basically, the labor market is very tight, also in other transport companies' , says the BVG press spokesman.

gastronomy

It is now known that there is a serious shortage of staff in the catering trade. Especially during the current holiday season, many hotels and restaurants cannot maintain normal operations, but have to take measures to compensate for the lack of staff.

A spokeswoman for the German hotel and restaurant association Dehoga explained to watson: 'Many businesses feel compelled to shorten opening hours, introduce rest days or minimize the menu offerings.' However, how the companies react to the shortage of skilled workers and workers depends on the location and concept.

In the catering and hotel industry, there has been a severe shortage of skilled workers, especially since the Corona pandemic. Image: www.imago-images.de / imago images

The press spokeswoman for the Dehoga Federal Association explains further: 'Regardless of sick leave, the lack of workers and skilled workers is one of the most pressing challenges for the industry at the moment.' According to a current Dehoga survey, more than 60 percent of companies complain about the lack of employees.

As in other industries, it is not only the high sickness rates due to the Corona summer wave and the already prevailing shortage of staff, there are also other problems that are causing concerns for entrepreneurs and employers. According to opinion poll in July 2022, the rising energy and food prices in particular will have a negative impact on the companies. At least as far as the shortage of staff is concerned, Dehoga President Guido Zöllick hopes for foreign workers and more support from the country Politics .

Source: watson.de