The Hamburg-based Goodgame Studios are currently under criticism for having terminated 15 employees who wanted to establish a works council. However, the game company denies these allegations.
At the end of November, Goodgame Studios dismissed 28 employees, stating that they exhibited performance deficiencies. However, 15 were involved in wanting to establish a works council. After the termination, some former employees spoke out, claiming that the dismissals were linked to the establishment of the works council. In addition, poor working conditions were discussed as the reason for establishing the works council.
Ver.di against Goodgame Studios
The union Ver.di has also intervened in the matter and published a press release in which Gabriele Weinrich-Borg from Ver.di Hamburg stated: “Since this spring, we have been in contact with several employees to finally elect a works council at GOODGAME. The fact that almost all those who were engaged beforehand are being terminated at the same time speaks volumes. This raises the suspicion that an industry giant wants to attack the employees’ involvement in company decisions. The positive image of this company does not match its treatment of its employees. Four weeks of annual leave, many fixed-term contracts, and in some cases, there’s barely the minimum wage, and now these terminations – I call this clearly BADGAME!”
Operational dismissals?
The Goodgame Studios have also commented on the situation, stating that these would be operational dismissals unrelated to the establishment of a works council. They are even in discussions with Ver.di to allow a works council.
Operational dismissals are, however, difficult for a company to implement, especially when on one hand, they continue to advertise positions while on the other, cite performance deficiencies as a reason. Because these must be proven by the employer should the dismissed employees file a lawsuit at the labor court – which has already happened.
The lawsuit at the labor court has temporarily rendered the dismissal ineffective until negotiations produce other results. Thus, the employees belong to Goodgame Studios again and are allowed to participate in works meetings. Ver.di has already announced that it will call such a meeting together with these employees to discuss the establishment of a works council at Goodgame Studios.
If it indeed turns out in court proceedings that Goodgame Studios wanted to prevent the establishment of a works council, there could even be criminal consequences. However, this has not yet been established. It remains to be seen how this situation will develop.
