Employees

Workforce remains strong

People are the driving force behind logistics. Our company has qualified and dedicated employees around the world working towards its success. As at 31 December 2008, the Group employed 451,515 people (full-time equivalents). Although the total number of employees remained nearly the same as the previous year, the number of civil servants dropped further to 51,304. Staff costs increased by 4.8% year-on-year, from €17,169 million to €17,990 million.

In the MAIL Division, the number of employees fell by 1.9% to 142,674. The number of full-time equivalents declined primarily in Germany after we increased productivity there. Staff reductions also resulted from the further reorganisation of the retail outlet network.

Measured against the previous year, the number of people employed in the EXPRESS Division fell by 3.9% to 108,275. This can be primarily attributed to restructuring our US business. By contrast, the number of full-time equivalents in the GLOBAL FORWARDING/FREIGHT segment rose by 5.9% to 41,499, precipitated by acquisitions and organic growth. The increase in the SUPPLY CHAIN/CIS Division of 2.2% to 143,786 is also a result of organic growth.

The number of employees in the Corporate Center/Other unit fell by 1.7% as a result of streamlining efforts in the service departments such as IT, Accounting and Real Estate. The staff level there was 15,281 at the end of the year under review.

Number of employees
	2007	2008	+/- %
Continuing operations
At year-end
Headcount1)	512,147	512,536	0.1
Full-time equivalents2)	453,626	451,515	−0.5
By segment
MAIL	145,4583)	142,674	−1.9
EXPRESS	112,727	108,275	−3.9
GLOBAL FORWARDING/FREIGHT	39,2003)	41,499	5.9
SUPPLY CHAIN/CIS	140,6943)	143,786	2.2
Corporate Center/Other	15,5473)	15,281	−1.7
By region
Germany	170,258	167,816	−1.4
Europe (excluding Germany)	133,137	136,649	2.6
North, Central and South America	87,185	78,212	−10.3
Asia Pacific	51,852	55,182	6.4
Other	11,194	13,656	22.0
Average for the year
Headcount	500,252	511,292	2.2
Hourly workers and salaried employees	443,584	456,149	2.8
Civil servants	52,809	51,304	−2.9
Trainees	3,859	3,839	−0.5
Full-time equivalents	447,626	456,716	2.0
Discontinued operations	21,4743)	21,127	−1.6

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