← BlogMarch 3, 20235 min readEditorial teamDEUAENRU
For businesses
Spring 2023 Staff Planning: Getting Construction and Solar Teams Ready
With the first warm weeks, order books fill up on construction sites and solar projects. Anyone hiring now is quickly under time pressure. Clear planning helps you avoid shortages.
Estimate demand realistically
Start with your orders. How many sites or rooftop systems begin in the next twelve weeks? How many people does each site need per week? Allow buffers for illness, holidays and weather. A small surplus is better than a standstill in the middle of a project.
Mix qualifications correctly
Not every role is the same. In construction you need skilled workers, foremen and helpers. In solar you need the Elektrofachkraft for the connection and installation helpers for the roof, substructure and cabling. More on the tasks in our article on the solar boom 2023.
Allow for lead time
Plan several weeks for selection, contract signing, arrival and onboarding. Include accommodation, work clothing and induction from the start. How cooperation with a staffing provider works is shown in the article on the steps of working together.
The right contract model
You have three options: your own staff, a Werkvertrag or Arbeitnehmerüberlassung. In the construction sector, supplying temporary agency workers to construction businesses for work usually done by blue-collar workers is generally prohibited, with narrow exceptions. Whether a Werkvertrag holds up depends on how the work is organised. Read the article on contracts for work in construction.
Legal pitfalls
- The statutory minimum wage of €12 applies to everyone. Construction has higher sector minimums, in the lowest wage group €13.40 since January 2023. Always check the current rules.
- For posted workers you need the A1 certificate.
- Working hours must be documented properly.
- With subcontractors you are jointly liable for minimum wage and social contributions.
Checklist for the next two weeks
- List your orders and weekly staffing needs.
- Define qualifications and responsible people.
- Clarify the contract model.
- Organise accommodation, work clothing and induction.
- Name a contact person and reserve staff.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I plan staff for the season?
Ideally eight to twelve weeks before the project starts. The rarer the qualification, the longer the lead time.
Can I use agency workers in construction?
Generally not, for work usually done by blue-collar workers. Narrow exceptions exist, for example between construction businesses.
What minimum wage applies in construction?
In addition to the statutory minimum wage, sector minimums apply. In the lowest wage group it has been €13.40 per hour since January 2023.
What matters most in a Werkvertrag?
A clear scope of work, the contractor’s own organisation, and no instructions from you to its staff.
