Abstract

During the COVID 19 pandemic, the problems in the health and care sector in Germany became particularly clear. On the one hand, there is a shortage of skilled workers; on the other hand, wages and working conditions are often perceived as unattractive. The project analyses these developments from different perspectives. First, based on administrative data, employment and wages in the health and care sector will be investigated, with particular interest in changes during the COVID 19 pandemic. Using survey data and vignettes, the project will secondly explore the following questions: What working conditions in the health and care sector are considered appropriate and inappropriate in the labour force? What income for skilled und unskilled staff are considered appropriate under different working conditions? How much would individuals in the labour force pay more then they currently do for improvements in the working conditions of employees in hospitals and long-term care? Third, the study investigates what exactly are the main drivers of perceived workload and stress and how working conditions could possibly be improved in order to meet the growing demand for staff. To this end, qualitative interviews are conducted with managers and employees in hospitals and long term care as well as with placement specialists from employment agencies.