Germany’s major corporations are reacting cautiously to the federal government’s proposed potential one-thousand-euro bonus for employees. According to a survey conducted by “Welt am Sonntag” and “Business Insider” the 40 companies surveyed are mostly waiting for the final legislative draft from the government before deciding whether to issue the so-called relief bonus to their staff. As of the reporting time, no company has committed to or ruled out offering the bonus.
The BMW Group is currently reviewing the announced legal framework, according to the company. Instead of temporary, individual measures, the automaker advocates for a “future reliable” limitation on social security contributions. The conglomerate stated that “the government could sustainably and noticeably relieve employees and companies through the planned social reforms”.
Regarding the payment, SAP has stated to newspapers that it has not yet decided whether to pay the bonus to its 25,000 German employees. However, the conglomerate pointed to its existing benefit programs, such as a mobility budget. It also mentioned that after about three years, employees will be entitled to a company car and receive refueling and charging vouchers that can be used for private purposes.
Siemens and Symrise also noted that their employees already save on fuel costs thanks to remote work options and bicycle leasing deals.
The digital conglomerate Scout24 expressed critical views, stating that it is problematic for the state to want to relieve citizens through voluntary company bonuses, and instead proposed structural solutions. Tax relief, in particular, could support employees’ purchasing power. For BASF, the position is clear: even if the bonus is tax and contribution-free, the corporation does not want “any additional burdens”. The chemical company wrote that “as soon as the federal government sets the concrete legal conditions, BASF will carefully review and evaluate the issue accordingly”.
Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU) announced the plans for the potential employee bonus on Monday. Employers could pay up to 1,000 euros to their employees as a one-time benefit, which would be exempt from tax and contributions. The coalition of CDU and SPD is still discussing the draft law. By the time the “Welt am Sonntag” conducting the poll finished, 30 corporations had participated, while four more declined to issue a statement.