Carola (31) from Krefeld:
Caught in the fixed-term trap
"When I decided to study economics after leaving school, I thought I would always have a secure job. But unfortunately the reality is different: I've always found a job so far, but only for a limited period of one or two years. How can I think about having children, buying a house or planning anything else for the future? I also just want to get somewhere, not be the new girl all the time - and start from scratch again instead of taking a career step. What makes me particularly angry is that male colleagues get a permanent contract much more quickly. It's simply unfair that women are still discriminated against in the job market."
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
Almost every second new employee was only given a fixed-term contract in 2016. Younger people are particularly affected by this. Important to know: A fixed-term employment contract may be extended a maximum of three times and the total duration may not exceed two years. The situation is different for fixed-term contracts with a material reason (e.g. for a special project): These contracts can be extended again and again.
Sarah (37) from Kassel, two children:
Only temporary jobs as an unskilled worker
"Back then, 20 years ago, when Tim and I got married, I would never have thought how quickly everything could change. Tim had a good position in IT in a large company, I was a housewife. His salary was enough to finance our house on the outskirts of the city, we went on vacation twice a year, and even when the children came along later, we wanted for nothing. But then Tim's company went downhill - and he was made redundant. 'It's no problem,' I said to him at the time. 'Then I'll look for a job now, the kids are out of the woods. But that was easier said than done: no matter where I applied, I was told straight away that there was no chance of a permanent position without training. But do an apprenticeship now? I'd rather go from temporary job to temporary job. We had to sell our house and moved into a smaller apartment. I'm really hoping that Tim will finally find a job again."
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
For people without training, job opportunities in Germany are much worse than in other EU countries.
Mareike (35) from Weimar, one child:
Single parent with a part-time contract
"Weekend work, late and night shifts - as a hotel manager, that's completely normal. But I've been a mom for three years - and unfortunately I've also been a single parent for six months. Since then, I've been working part-time 20 hours a week. As my daughter goes to nursery, that wouldn't be a problem - but I didn't reckon with my boss's ruthlessness: I'm almost exclusively assigned the weekend and evening shifts - I often sit at home on weekday mornings. In the evenings, my mother has to step in and look after my daughter. I'd love to change jobs - but nobody is interested in a single parent with a small child."
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
In Germany, far fewer mothers work paid jobs than elsewhere. 39 percent of mothers in Germany work part-time.
Margot (52) from Soltau:
Back to work with retraining
"I completed my tailoring apprenticeship 30 years ago and have enjoyed working in this profession ever since. But over the years, we tailors were increasingly replaced by machines - five years ago I was made redundant. I tried in vain to get a new job. But with a heavy heart I had to realize that my job was dying out. A careers advice service gave me the idea of retraining as an educator. It doesn't earn me much money, but I immediately got a job in a daycare center around the corner from me - and I really enjoy the work. I'm happy with my decision - even if it was difficult to start again at almost 50."
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
In order for the Jobcenter to cover the costs of retraining, the applicant must provide plausible reasons why they can no longer work in their profession. In addition, a recognized training occupation must be learned.
Bettina (42) from Düsseldorf:
Not enough without the second job
"Hairdressing has always been my dream job, I never considered anything else. Sure, the pay is bad, but I always managed quite well when I was younger. However, rising rents make it almost impossible to make ends meet with so little money these days. So for the past two years, I've been cleaning in two households every Monday when the salon is closed. Of course, I would prefer to have a day off to really relax or get things done, but I can't see any other way of keeping my apartment at the moment. My hope is that jobs like mine will also be paid fairly at some point."
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
The number of employees with a part-time job has more than doubled since 2003. Around 3.2 million people now earn something on the side.
Ursula (67) from Marburg:
Retired, but with a 450-euro job
"I've worked as a nurse all my life - only with interruptions to raise my three daughters. When I retired at the age of 65, I was really looking forward to my well-earned retirement. I thought that I would somehow manage on my modest pension. I had been divorced for many years and was therefore used to getting by on my own. But I had totally underestimated it: I received just 620 euros in pension. So now I work twice a week in a local supermarket. And that's not exactly easy for me because of my severe osteoarthritis. But unfortunately nobody cares about that."
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
One in ten women in Germany lives in poverty in old age. Around one in two pensioners has to get by on less than 700 euros a month
