Patterns of behaviour of companies and employees in the course of the introduction of the minimum wage

The1 minimum wage law (MiLoG) introduced a general legal minimum wage in Germany on January 1, 2015. The objective of the research project is to identify, describe and analyse selected implications of the introduction of the legal minimum wage on affected companies and employees.

A series of possible effects have to be taken into consideration, which have not yet been captured by prior research and which cannot be assessed by quantitative analysis. In addition to a systematic identification and description of the possible behavioural adaptation of the affected group, the focus of the research project lied on the understanding of actions, reactions and their patterns, as well as the underlying motivations, and objectives. Thus, the understanding, under which conditions certain (adaptation) reactions in response to the minimum wage occur, has been broadened.

A qualitative research design has been used for the project. At its core have been guided interviews with officials at the operational decision-making level, members of the works council and with employees.

Final Report (in German)