In August 2022, the inflation rate in Germany was 7.9 % and therefore higher than it has been for decades. Consumers are particularly concerned about the sharp rise in energy and food prices. However, expenses for travel and leisure activities have also risen sharply in recent months. This development is having a strong impact on employees. How is AP&S responding as an employer to support its employees during this time?
"We have been critically observing the situation for quite some time, more precisely from the time when the VAT was increased again to 19%," says Cäcilia Wegner, Head of Human Resources at AP&S. "When the war in Ukraine broke out and energy prices in particular were rising rapidly, we promised our employees a one-off payment of 800 euros in April, which we then paid out in July. Our aim was to offer our employees immediate support. In the latest relief package from the German government last week (week 37), employers are now also being asked to mitigate the increased prices by making one-off payments. We are currently examining the extent to which we can do this again in the second half of the year".