Despite the current economic uncertainties, the employment agencies in Saxony-Anhalt have received relatively few applications from employers for short-time work benefits. According to the authorities, 120 advertisements for around 1,400 employees were last registered in November. However, the current level cannot be compared with the large number of applications that have been made because of the corona pandemic, explained Markus Behrens, head of the Saxony-Anhalt-Thuringia regional directorate of the Federal Employment Agency. At that time there were thousands of applications.

According to the information, from January to November 2021 alone, a total of 6,700 applications from employers for short-time work benefits for around 68,000 employees were submitted to the employment agencies in Saxony-Anhalt. The background is that in view of the measures taken by the federal and state governments to contain the pandemic, companies were only able to work to a limited extent or were temporarily unable to work. As a precaution, employers submitted applications to the employment agencies for payment of short-time work benefits in order to avoid layoffs. The corona pandemic arrived in Saxony-Anhalt in 2020.

However, experience has shown that not all employers actually take advantage of the short-time work that has been applied for as a precaution, as a spokesman for the authority said. Data on this is not yet available for 2022 and not yet conclusive for 2021. Nevertheless, even now there is a high need for advice from employers as to which criteria apply to the payment of short-time work benefits, explained Behrens. This affects, among other things, the metal industry and construction. Employers are uncertain and, in addition to economic aid, are hoping for support from short-time work benefits in order to keep skilled workers.

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