Germany: Deutsche Bahn managers will have to take better account of employee and customer satisfaction

Unhappy customers and employees.  “Profitable growth can only be obtained with enthusiastic workers and satisfied customers.  This is why quality and the satisfaction of customers and employees are our top priority for 2012” the DB’s President said during his New Year’s greetings on Wednesday, January 25.  While 2011 was a luxurious year in terms financial results and attendance for the DB, it isn’t quite true of customer and employee satisfaction.  Without giving numbers, the company’s marketing department confirmed that the image of the DB, which is piling up delays or incidents such as A/C breaking in the middle of a heat or cold wave, is getting worse with customers.  Besides, an employee survey in Germany found that 70 percent of employees were unhappy with their working conditions.  They complain of a lack of freedom to undertake, of the weight of hierarchy, of the length of decision-making procedures, or even unrealistic goals. 
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

in terms financial results and attendance for the DB, it isn’t quite true of customer and employee satisfaction. Without giving numbers, the company’s marketing department confirmed that the image of the DB, which is piling up delays or incidents such as A/C breaking in the middle of a heat or cold wave, is getting worse with customers. Besides, an employee survey in Germany found that 70 percent of employees were unhappy with their working conditions. They complain of a lack of freedom to

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
United Kingdom: Parliament finally passes Employment Rights Bill
The UK Labour government's flagship reform of employment rights was passed by both houses on 16 December after a turbulent parliamentary process. The bill introduces numerous changes to labour...
18 December 2025
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
EU: MEPs demand directive on algorithmic management
Members of the European Parliament have called for a directive on algorithmic management. Such legislation would introduce obligations for companies to inform employees, assess health and safety...
17 December 2025
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
EU: Commission launches consultation with social partners on quality jobs
On 4 December, the European Commission launched the first phase of consultation with social partners with a view to a European directive on jobs, which is scheduled for the end of 2026. It could...
4 December 2025
2
EDF bans alcohol on all its sites
From 1 January 2026, French energy giant EDF (180,000 employees) will prohibit alcohol consumption at all internal and external corporate events, from social gatherings to seminars. The policy...
26 November 2025
3
United Kingdom: government scraps plan to introduce ‘day one’ protection against unfair dismissal
The UK government announced on 27 November, in a statement, that it would not be introducing the right to challenge unfair dismissal (without cause) from the first day of employment in its...
3 December 2025
4
Poland: bill adopted to amend definition of psychological harassment
On 27 November, the Polish cabinet adopted a draft amendment to the labour code aimed at simplifying the definition of psychological harassment at work, or “mobbing” (Article 94 3)...
4 December 2025
5
EU: MEPs demand directive on algorithmic management
Members of the European Parliament have called for a directive on algorithmic management. Such legislation would introduce obligations for companies to inform employees, assess health and safety...
17 December 2025
6
Austria: European rules on wage transparency expected to cause a cultural shock
With the gender pay gap in Austria being the second largest in the European Union (18.3%), the Austrian government has promised to introduce a bill next spring to transpose the European directive...
27 November 2025