Fussl tries it this way

There are many time models for a job

Ernst Mayr (right) runs Fussl Modestraße with his brother Karl (left).(Bild: Harald Dostal)

The number of job seekers in Upper Austria climbed to 43,420 in January 2024, with a further 10,183 people in training! Although more workers are available again, companies still need to be creative when looking for staff. Fussl puts flexibility in the race.

The stuttering economic engine is showing ever clearer signs on the labor market, yet in January alone, 22,499 jobs were unfilled in Upper Austria. "Finding staff is still difficult, even though we have the feeling that it is getting easier to find new colleagues again," says Ernst Mayr.

The Fussl branch in Ort im Innkreis. The company, which has 200 stores, also has its logistics center here.(Bild: Harald Dostal)

Together with his brother Karl Mayr, he runs Fussl Modestraße with 200 stores in Austria and Germany. There is a great need for employees: the textile retailer from Ort im Innkreis currently has 182 vacancies in Austria. "We also advertise a position in different ways: from part-time to Saturday temp to full-time. With us, everything is possible from four and a half hours to 42 hours per week," says Mayr.

"The search will become more difficult"
Anyone applying to Fussl will not be in for any surprises when it comes to tasks, says the boss: "With us, you can immediately see what to expect: We decorate, prepare the clothes, give advice, are at the checkout." Mayr is concerned that demographic trends mean that the job market is unlikely to ease in the long term: "It will become more difficult to find staff."

"Some have come back to us"
How difficult or easy is it to retain staff? "One or two years ago, the willingness to change was very high. However, some of the employees who left came back to us after a few months."