• ES
  • FR
  • EN
JOCI-IYCW
  • Homepage
  • Who are we?
    • IYCW International Team
    • IYCW National Movements
    • IYCW Fundamental Documents
    • Contact Us
  • Actions
    • Representative Actions
    • Campaigns
    • Testmonies
    • Action programmes
  • Publications
    • YCW-Info
    • Statements and Releases
    • International Councils
    • International Plan of Action
    • Activities
    • IYCW Archives
  • Support Us !
  • Media
    • Pictures
    • Videos

Temporary Work in Germany: A Testimony from Anne, 24 years old

Details
Also available:  Español (España)   Français (France) 

“I Have No Direct Contract and My Life is Insecure!”

 

After finishing high school, I studied Business Administration and finished with a Bachelor’s degree. I searched for a job for about half a year and every time my applications were rejected, the reason was: "You have no working experience" or "We are primarily looking for people with more work experience" ... Even in positions that were advertised for new entrants they kept saying, " We have found someone with more experience ".

Long story short, I got a job from a temporary work agency. I am working in the purchasing department of a big company which isn’t far away from home. But this job doesn’t require academic studies. My salary corresponds approximately to that of the people directly hired by the company for the same position, but those people are working together with a Buyer while I am working alone.

In the company I feel warmly welcomed – most colleagues do not even know that I am employed through a temporary work agency. I get the same discounts as the employees hired directly by the company – for example a discount in the canteen. I really like the work and the colleagues.

But I notice that I am employed by a temporary work agency anyway - especially with regard to vacation and payment. The “direct employees” have 30 days’ vacation in one year and they also do not have to work on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. I, however, have 24 days per year (legal minimum limit) and I have to take a full day of vacation on those two days (because the company doesn’t work on those days). Also taking a vacation is much more complicated for me than for direct employees, because I first need the permission of my boss and then I have to go to the temp agency where they sign my request.

At New Year, the “direct employees” got a pay rise. I just got a kind of allowance, not a pay rise.

According to the contract I have a 35-hour week. In the company normal weekly work is 39 hours - plus overtime. I'm constantly working overtime but I get paid for 35 hours, overtime is credited to a time account. I only get the money when I have collected 150 hours’ overtime on that account.

At the beginning I had a temporary contract for approximately 9 months. When I asked my boss 3 months before the end if it would continue, he was totally surprised - he thought I had an annual contract. My contract was then extended by the temporary work agency for another 9 months. Recently, I again asked my boss if the company could now hire me directly, otherwise I would look for another job. They offered me a direct contract beginning 1st June. Because of this, I cancelled my contract with the temporary work agency. But until now (18th May) I haven’t seen a contract from the company. If they give me the contract (I feel confident), it will be limited again. And I probably won’t be employed as a Buyer - although I have the qualifications for this position.

Also interesting: My boss asked me to tell him how much I earn. Because the company knows what they pay to the temporary work agency, but not what the agency pays me. When I told him about my hourly wage and my 35-hour week, he was surprised. He knew nothing of these facts!

I will still continue applying for interesting jobs in my region, I am writing applications, It’s hard for me, I can’t plan my future. And if I get another job, I won’t be able to take a vacation as I planned at the beginning of the year. My work as a temporary worker makes my life insecure.

Tweet
Whatsapp
Facebook

Recent articles

  • “From crisis to conversion” - 11 international Cardijn-inspired movements call to use the crisis for holistic change
  • Relocation of the IYCW Archives in the KADOC Catholic Documentation Centre of the University of Leuven
  • To Meet Post Covid-19 Challenges, the IYCW Calls To Work With and For Young Workers
  • December 12, 2020: Join the IYCW for a Webinar on The Impact of Covid-19 on Young Workers' Reality
  • Listen to the Cry of the Most Vulnerable in the Most Crucial Time We Face as Humans! And Take Steps in their Favor!
  • IYCW and ICYCW celebration of Cardijn's Birthday: The Spirit of Cardijn alive in the action of YCW today
  • The Impact of Covid-19 on Young Workers: an analysis by the International YCW


International Cardijn Association

(C) International Young Christian Workers - 4, Av. G. Rodenbach - B-1030 Brussels - Phone: +3222421811 - Contact


© 2021 JOCI-IYCW

JOCI-IYCW
  • Español (España)
  • Français (France)
  • English (United Kingdom)
  • Homepage
  • Who are we?
    • IYCW International Team
    • IYCW National Movements
    • IYCW Fundamental Documents
    • Contact Us
  • Actions
    • Representative Actions
    • Campaigns
    • Testmonies
    • Action programmes
  • Publications
    • YCW-Info
    • Statements and Releases
    • International Councils
    • International Plan of Action
    • Activities
    • IYCW Archives
  • Support Us !
  • Media
    • Pictures
    • Videos
Go Top