After more than 30 years of loyal service, we bid farewell to Bernhard Höß on his well-deserved retirement. His many years of loyalty and commitment to Trenkwalder are a remarkable example of employee retention and loyalty. In this farewell interview, he shares his memories, experiences and advice with us.


Bernhard, how do you feel when you look back on over 30 years at Trenkwalder?

I can say that I am a little proud that I have remained loyal to a company for so long.


What has motivated you to stay loyal to the company over all these years?

My colleagues, some of whom I still maintain very good contact with, have been a particular source of motivation.
I was also motivated by the innovations and changes in temporary work. However, I was never particularly fond of social media!


Are there any special memories or moments from these 30 years that have particularly stuck in your mind?

I have very fond memories of my time as a ‘Specialist Coach Assistance’. This enabled me to get to know or set up many new branches throughout Germany and to train new assistants.
However, the highlights were the company events, such as the occupational safety days, various conferences and further training courses, as well as the Christmas parties.
Here you could get to know your colleagues better in personal conversations.


How would you describe the team and the collaboration with your colleagues?

The cooperation in the Regensburg team was very collegial and friendly. You could always rely on each other.
This is the reason why many employees remain very loyal to the company.


Have you built up any special friendships or professional relationships that are important to you?

Yes - the friendships still exist. Regular get-togethers bring back the good times from the past.


Did you have a daily ritual or routine that helped you to structure your working day and be successful?


The morning started with a good cup of coffee and sometimes even a piece of cake or pastry.


How have technological developments affected your work, and is there a particular tool or technology that you have particularly appreciated?

The good old days of writing on index cards and typewriters have been replaced by programmes and laptops. The advert in the newspaper and personal contact with customers has been/is being replaced by social media and Teams.


Is there a hidden talent or passion that your colleagues might not know about?

My hidden talents ‘remain hidden’ too.


Is there a personal motto or philosophy of life that has guided you throughout your career?

Keep calm even in stressful situations.


What advice would you give to younger colleagues who are just starting their career?

Stay motivated, even if there are always ‘setbacks’.
Treat your colleagues with collegiality and respect.
When mistakes are made, it's not always the fault of others.
Never lose the fun in your work.


Are there any wisdom or principles that have helped you during your career?

Don't just do your work according to the instructions of management and superiors - if you are convinced that a different way of working is better, then do it the way you think is better.


What are your plans and hopes for retirement?

My hope, but also my wish, is that the whole family stays healthy for a long time. I'll be working in a sports centre and supporting a party service - in between relaxing and unwinding on holiday trips to Tyrol.



We would like to sincerely thank Bernhard Höß for his outstanding performance and his many years of loyalty to Trenkwalder. His stories and insights provide us with valuable lessons and inspiration. We wish him all the best for his well-deserved retirement and much joy in his future endeavours. May his path continue to be accompanied by success, happiness and health.


The entire Trenkwalder team will miss him very much, but at the same time we are delighted that he now has the time for his hobbies and dreams. His energetic commitment will always remain a valuable part of our company history.



Interested in finding out more? Then stay tuned!

Summer is finally here - and with it the often unbearable heat in the office.

Did you know that work performance drops by up to 70% on particularly hot days? To prevent this from happening, we have 10 tips on how you can keep a cool head and stay focused on hot days.


#1 Airy clothing

Light, loose and light-colored clothing that transports body heat to the outside is particularly suitable for hot days. This means you sweat less and the heat is a little more bearable. Light cotton or linen fabrics are more comfortable in summer than synthetics.

If there is a dress code in the office, simply ask whether it can be relaxed for hot days. It is also important whether you are in direct contact with customers - often more formal clothing is required here, also in terms of shoes.

Our tip: Avoid wearing anything too short or too tight, even on hot days.

#2 Cool down

If it gets unbearably hot in the office, you can cool down by running cold water over the pulse points on your wrist for 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can moisturize your neck and temples with water. This also helps.

Our tip: Fill a small pump spray with water and spray your face and arms if necessary. For even more freshness, store the pump spray in the fridge. You can also use a chilled cloth from the freezer.

#3 Drink a lot

The most important thing in the heat is to drink plenty of fluids! Water, tea and unsweetened drinks are best. They will keep you hydrated. It is important to drink regularly.

Our tip: It's best to drink a few sips every 10-15 minutes to stay hydrated and able to concentrate. You can also eat highly hydrating snacks such as melon.

Coffee should only be drunk in moderation during the hot season, as it dehydrates the body.

#4 Light food

Switch to easily digestible foods in summer, such as salad, fruit or roasted vegetables.

#5 Light exercise

Stay active, even if it’s hot. Light exercise in between, e.g. a short walk in the shade, not only helps to boost your circulation, but also to clear your head.

# 6 Saving electricity = saving heat

The fewer devices are running, the less hot it is in the office. So simply switch off all devices that you don't need all the time. This also saves electricity.

Use the electricity you save for small pedestal fans or heat fans. But make sure that you cool your body and don't blow on your face.

#7 Cool morning air

If you are in the office early in the morning, you should open all windows to let in the cool morning air.

Our tip: Close the windows in good time before it gets warmer, otherwise ventilation will lose its cooling effect.

#8 Keep the sun out

Even if we enjoy the sun, we need to keep it out to maintain a cool working environment. So close shutters, curtains etc.

#9 Plants in the office

A bit of greenery in the office improves the indoor climate and makes the office cooler. But don't forget, plants are also thirstier in summer.

#10 The early bird catches the worm

Become an early bird. Especially if you can work flexibly, you should take advantage of the early morning hours. Not only will you avoid the heat in the afternoon, you can also get home earlier and enjoy the sun.


Try it out and see for yourself: it's a great way to spend the summer in the office.

And by the way, these tips are also ideal for working from home.


Interested in finding out more? Then stay tuned!

The shortage of labour and skilled workers remains a challenge for Carinthian companies. In March (2024), there were 5,500 vacancies. The province wants to counteract the shortage with a new agency that is to recruit labour from third countries and other continents. The new agency is due to start work as early as next week. It will initially focus on the three sectors with the greatest shortage of skilled labour according to the social partners: electrical engineering, metalworking and nursing and healthcare. According to Sebastian Schuschnig (ÖVP), the state of Carinthia will invest five million euros in the agency per year.

Trenkwalder awarded for three years following a Europe-wide tendering process

Trenkwalder was awarded the contract for three years following a Europe-wide tendering process. With its network in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa, it will find suitable skilled workers and assist them with the administrative process up to the Red-White-Red Card. Trenkwalder CEO Mark Pollok: ‘We want to be the bridge between the companies in Carinthia and the foreign markets and then make sure that we find the perfect match for both sides.’ Depending on the industry, the search radius is extended to all continents during recruitment, whereby compatible training standards are taken into account during placement. The first of the six-month industry calls will start at the beginning of June.

"We welcome the Carinthian state government's acquisition of skilled labour. In a precarious labour market situation, this sends an important signal to the economy. As one of the leading personnel service providers in Europe, we are not only internationally networked, but also regionally anchored. It is precisely this fact that enables us to respond to the local shortage of skilled labour. In addition to our concentrated recruiting expertise within and outside the EU, our strength lies in the fact that our recruiting processes, from application to onboarding, are digitalised. We are delighted to be on board as a recruiting partner as part of this pioneering initiative,’ said Trenkwalder CEO Mark Pollok at press conference on the Carinthian state government's on April 22nd 2024.