Crude citizen’s money story: “70 of my employees quit”

In a conversation with the well-known journalist Nena Brockhaus, an entrepreneur rails against citizens’ money. Christian Hamer runs 65 photo studios throughout Germany. He describes his experiences. He presents social benefits as too attractive competition for offers that employers can make.

+++ Also exciting: Citizens’ money plan is finally out: CDU wants to reduce benefits to 0 euros +++

There is criticism of this depiction online. The interview actually raises some questions.

Employer claims: “Employees preferred to go to citizen’s benefit”

Hamer claims in an interview for “Focus”: “We had almost 70 employees quit and preferred to go to citizens’ benefit.” He tells of an employee who demanded that Hamer cover his utility bill of almost 2,000 euros. He explained to me: If he quits and applies for citizen’s benefit, then the office would cover his utility bill.”

In any case, the photo studio entrepreneur has the impression that the state service is far too attractive. “I feel like the government wants people to receive citizen’s money.”

“Who voluntarily makes themselves dependent on the employment agency?”

On the other hand, he admits that the net income is usually higher. But the comparison suggests that many recipients of citizens’ benefit would have additional income through undeclared work. “If you take that into account, regular work is unfortunately not worth it for certain wage groups.”

There is massive criticism of the man’s stories online. This is what an X user writes under the journalist Brockhaus’ post:

“Anyone who quits their job initially receives unemployment benefit after a blocking period.” Hardly anyone can go on “citizen’s benefit”. Apart from that: Who voluntarily makes themselves dependent on the employment agency? Mandatory appointments, constant applications for possibly bad jobs, etc. Before I do that voluntarily, the prescribed working conditions must have been even worse.”

Others also find the story strange: “This is complete nonsense. Nobody gets citizen’s money if they just quit like that.” Another reader takes a critical view of the interview: “The man talks a lot of nonsense. The job centers do not take over old debts from utility bills. Do the studio managers work on a self-employed basis or do they supposedly fall into the citizen’s allowance?”

Anyone who repeatedly rejects “reasonable job offers”: 30 percent less standard rate

In any case, it is questionable whether citizens’ money is actually such a land of milk and honey. In addition to the manageable standard rate of 563 euros per month, there is certainly pressure and sanctions for breaches of duty.

According to the current law, anyone who is able to find reasonable job offers will have their standard citizen’s benefit reduced by ten percent for one month. “In the case of a second breach of duty it is 20 percent for two months and in the third breach of duty it is 20 percent.” 30 percent for three months,” says the federal government.