Shock for Albstadt: Kaufland unexpectedly lays off all 80 employees!

Shock for Albstadt: Kaufland unexpectedly lays off all 80 employees!

In a surprising turn of events, all 80 employees of the Kaufland branch in Albstadt-Ebingen, which belongs to the Schwarz Group, have to give up their jobs immediately. This information was communicated to employees in two meetings, and the layoffs are part of a planned restructuring of the branch, which will close by the end of January 2026 at the latest, as Mercury reported. The decision caused a stir as employees had hoped to find accommodation in other branches during construction work.

The announcement that only layoffs will be made and no alternative positions will be offered has caused concern among affected employees and domestic authorities. “We are exhausted,” said an employee who wished to remain anonymous. Mayor Roland Tralmer was also critical of the mass layoffs and made it clear that the city was not informed in advance about Kaufland's plans. “I would have expected advance information to explain the situation,” said Tralmer, who described the company’s style of communication as “unfavorable.” Swabian reported.

Criticism of the approach

The announcements not only raised fears for one's own existence, but also brought the health of employees into focus. “The employees are worried about what will happen to them after the branch closes,” says a shop steward. Tralmer emphasizes that although the city is legally obliged to approve building applications, Kaufland has been working on this new building request for years. “The decision about this was and is completely at the discretion of the company,” said the mayor.

The legal framework for mass layoffs in Germany has been established. Loud anwalt.de Employers who issue a certain number of terminations within 30 days must inform the employment agency. In this case, the numbers are clear: For companies with fewer than 500 employees, it is sufficient if over 10% or more than 25 employees are affected. Implementing the layoffs and communicating the decisions are crucial to avoid conflicts and legal disputes.

What's next?

Kaufland justified the terminations with a renovation phase and the closure of the branch. Employees who recently moved from a closed branch in Sigmaringen are also affected by the layoffs. A sales manager recommended that employees reapply at other stores at minimum wage, which many found to be an inadequate solution.

While the workforce considers a legal review of the dismissals, it becomes clear how necessary it is to create transparent communication channels between the company and employees. With over 1,500 branches in Europe and around 155,000 employees, Kaufland is under pressure to solve the situation for its employees in the best possible way. In these uncertain times, one thing is clear: both the economic and emotional challenges resulting from these mass layoffs will linger for a long time.