Changing jobs: advantage or risk? Findings from the Bertelsmann Foundation

Is changing jobs worthwhile, or do the risks outweigh the benefits? This is a question that many employees ask themselves. A study by the Bertelsmann Foundation has now examined this very issue and discusses when and for whom changing jobs can be a good idea.

First of all, it showed that skilled workers and specialists in particular benefit from changing jobs, especially when moving to related positions. Here, a wage increase of up to €3,500 per year is possible. In contrast, there are so-called assistants, who change jobs twice as often as skilled workers, but benefit significantly less from doing so. This is partly because assistants often change to jobs that have nothing in common with their previous work. As a result, there are few opportunities for better pay and promotion in their new job.

Another finding of the study is that women are often at a disadvantage compared to men when changing jobs. They are more likely to take a step down, regardless of whether they have vocational training or not. Women also find it more difficult to advance from unskilled to skilled worker: only just under 77% manage this transition, compared to 82% of men. According to those responsible for the study, this can be attributed primarily to unequal distribution of tasks in families and limited childcare options (for more on this “gender care gap,” see our editorial from last week).

We were also interested in the following topics:

• AI in the world of work: The rapid rise and easy accessibility of AI applications is causing many people to worry that they will lose their jobs to ChatGPT & Co. But for which jobs is this fear justified? Netzpiloten Magazine has summarized which jobs could actually be taken over by AI.

• Working with chatbots: AI can not only replace work, but also simply simplify it by delegating certain tasks to chatbots, for example. RBB has summarized what this might look like and what possibilities exist.

• Pensions: We already reported last week on the possible increase in the retirement age and the discussions surrounding it. A new study by the University of Mannheim now reveals an additional problem: Those who retire later have a lower life expectancy. Die Zeit (€) spoke with the author of the study.

• Gen Z: Companies may find it difficult to attract employees from the younger generation. Young recruiting consultants have seen an opportunity here and explain how to make the most of their generation's potential. Die Spiegel (€) has more on this.

• Office animals: The Bundestag recently founded the “Parliamentary Dog Circle,” which is already one of the largest parliamentary circles ever. Currently, office dogs are not allowed in the Bundestag offices—something the circle wants to change. The SZ asked what measures are being discussed to “bring dogs into the center of parliament.”

This text first appeared as an editorial in the weekly politjobs newsletter. If you would like to receive this newsletter with the latest jobs in politics directly by email every Wednesday, you can subscribe to it here.

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