German Employees Frustrated Over Unmet Salary Increases Despite Added Responsibilities

A recent survey conducted by My Perfect Resume highlights widespread frustration among German employees regarding salary and career growth, revealing that 65% feel their career progress is superficial, a phenomenon described as 'Ghost Growth'. Despite taking on additional tasks, 78% of respondents reported no salary increase, with only 15% receiving any pay adjustment. This dissatisfaction spans across all age groups, from younger workers to middle-aged and older employees. Jutta Rump, a professor at Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft Ludwigshafen, commented that while gaining experience is expected, taking on higher-level duties without proper compensation reflects poor cost management by employers. To combat these challenges, Rump advises employees to document their achievements thoroughly for salary negotiations, pursue further training, and maintain realistic salary expectations. Additionally, she suggests considering opportunities outside their current employers if internal demands are unmet, grounding requests in factual performance evidence. This widespread sentiment underscores a critical need for German companies to address employee compensation in line with increased responsibilities to improve morale and retention.