Berlin's HR Managers Hopeful for Bureaucracy Cut, Digitalization Push

A significant government shift is on the horizon in Berlin, with HR managers across German companies eagerly anticipating a reduction in bureaucracy and the digitalization of government services. A recent survey revealed that 98% of HR managers rank bureaucracy reduction as a high or rather high priority, with medium-sized companies being particularly vocal about their needs.

The Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and State Modernization (BMDS), led by Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU), has been tasked with addressing these demands. Established by the current federal government, the ministry oversees a comprehensive modernization agenda that includes over 80 individual measures across five fields of action, with bureaucracy reduction and digitalized government services being key priorities.

To tackle the ongoing skilled worker shortage, companies are looking for improved legal framework conditions to attract foreign talent. A majority of companies (82%) see high or rather high priority in the digitalization of government services. Interestingly, service providers (54%) are more likely to prioritize this than trade (49%) and industry (41%) sectors.

Incentives for increased employment participation are also sought after, with 69% of companies expressing a high or rather high priority for such measures. Companies can set these incentives by opening up to older employees. Additionally, 53% of companies expect simplified hiring processes for foreign workers, and 56% anticipate political measures to promote employment beyond retirement age.

With the impending government change in Berlin, HR managers in German companies are hopeful for significant improvements in bureaucracy reduction and the digitalization of government services. The BMDS, under Minister Karsten Wildberger, is at the forefront of these efforts, aiming to create a more favorable environment for businesses to thrive and address the skilled worker shortage. Companies are looking forward to practical legal framework conditions, simplified hiring processes, and incentives for increased employment participation.