A deeply concerning internal survey has revealed a precipitous decline in employee morale at Deutsche Bahn (DB), signaling a potential crisis of confidence within Germany’s national rail operator. The findings, reported by Süddeutsche Zeitung, paint a stark picture of disillusionment, with only 31% of DB’s workforce expressing optimism about the company’s future – a dramatic fall from 56% just three years prior.
The survey, conducted between September 9th and October 2nd, before the arrival of new CEO Evelyn Palla, underscores a widening disconnect between management and employees. Critically, just a third of respondents believe in the efficacy of the “S3” strategy, previously championed by former CEO Richard Lutz, while a mere 27% maintain faith in his flagship “Starke Schiene” (Strong Rail) initiative. The traditionally strong sense of “railway pride” a key indicator of employee commitment, has plummeted to a record low of 57%. According to internal presentations cited by the SZ, the “distance of employees from the Bahn continues.
Acknowledging the troubling results, DB’s Head of Personnel, Martin Seiler, termed the findings “not particularly pleasing” while highlighting the expressed desire for fundamental change within the organization. The survey, based on responses from approximately 13,000 employees, reveals a sweeping 70% believe a fresh start is needed – a sentiment echoing even more strongly among managers (83%) and overwhelmingly present at the highest leadership levels, where 95% advocate for a new direction.
Significantly, leadership pessimism regarding the company’s current course has now overtaken optimism for the first time. Only 31% of senior leaders view the future positively, compared to 38% last year. The shift to ambivalence and outright pessimism is palpable, with 35% now expressing negative sentiment, a considerable increase from 30% in 2024.
The release of this data places significant pressure on incoming CEO Evelyn Palla, tasked with not only stabilizing employee morale but also reassessing and potentially abandoning strategies that have clearly failed to garner support within the workforce. The survey strongly suggests a need for more than just cosmetic changes; it demands a fundamental re-evaluation of DB’s strategic direction and a concerted effort to rebuild trust and engagement among its vital employees, a challenge that could significantly impact the future of German rail infrastructure and its contribution to the national economy.