East Quote by Stefan Heym
“A foreman in the East wouldn't know how many workers he would have the next day, because part of his working force had left the system to go to West Germany.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Man Who Loved Dogs, 1968
A foreman cannot predict his workforce because many workers have fled to West Germany, reflecting post‑war labor shifts.
In simple terms: Foreman can’t forecast workers due to migration.
Plan for workforce volatility.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- post‑war Europe
- industrial planning
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How to adapt to sudden labor changes?
- What policies stabilize workforce?
Migration creates uncertainty for managers.