The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Utilities Electricity, Gas, Steam And Air Conditioning Supply Electricity, Gas, Steam And Air Conditioning Supply 35.1 - Electric power generation, transmission and distribution
312 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
19 April 2017
Employment effect (start)
1 November 2017
Foreseen end date
1 January 2019
Description
The energy group Engie (former GDF Suez) has announced a EU-wide reorganisation that will lead to cut about 312 position in France (on a total of 504 job cuts). The group pursues its decentralisation so as "to become more agile and closer to its customers", according to the management. Therefore, the missions and location of the group’s headquarters which are today split between three locations, would be located in Paris and Brussels and the London site would be closed. This project could lead to the net job cut of 504 filled positions, including 312 in France, 116 in Belgium and 76 in the United Kingdom. The job reductions will lead to cut 20% of the staff employed at the headquarters.
Engie presented this restructuring project to the employees' representatives. Negotiation will start with union to mitigate the social impact with the aim to reach an agreement before the summer. Then the first departures will start. The implementation of the plan will be rolled-out until 2019. According to the management, no forced dismissals are expected and "job adjustments will be solely voluntary".
Engie has led this project "in close coordination with the group’s employees and representative bodies for months" and has already announced measures to support its employees:
A retirement plan, as provided by the end-of-career agreements unanimously signed by the trade unions;
An internal job mobility and training program for the headquarters employees; and
A voluntary departure program.
Engie employs 153,000 people worldwide and plans to hire 12,000 people in 2017. In France, the Group employs more than 70,000 people and plans to open 4,000 new long-term positions in 2017.
Sources
19 April 2017: Engie (Press release)
19 April 2017: Les Echos
Citation
Eurofound (2017), Engie, Internal restructuring in France, factsheet number 90725, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/90725.
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