The Management Board of PKP CARGO has made a decision to implement group layoffs across its branches and headquarters. This is part of the company’s restructuring plan. Up to 30% of PKP CARGO’s workforce, which means a maximum of 4,142 employees across various professional groups, will be affected by the layoffs. The layoffs will take place within the time frames specified in agreements or regulations. Employees whose contracts are terminated as part of the group layoff will be entitled to severance pay, which will be determined by their length of service.
As a result of the Board’s decision, agreements on group layoffs or group layoff regulations will be signed or issued in seven of the company’s branches and headquarters. PKP CARGO SA is a company in which the State Treasury does not hold direct shares. The main shareholder, holding 33% of the shares, is PKP SA, while the remaining 67% of the share capital is held by stock market investors, including pension funds, investment funds, and private investors.
“We are, in fact, a private company. However, when it comes to group layoffs, we comply with all applicable regulations, including the law on so-called group layoffs. This law grants employees not only regular pay for the notice period but also severance pay for the layoffs,” explained Dr. Marcin Wojewódka, acting CEO of PKP CARGO during restructuring, in an interview with eNewsroom.pl. “These severance payments are calculated as multiples of salaries—ranging from one to three times the salary, depending on the employee’s length of service. Due to the long tenure of most of our employees, who have been with the company for eight years or more, they will receive a severance of three times their salary in the event of a group layoff. In addition to this, there are benefits provided under the provisions of the Collective Labor Agreement, including longer notice periods, such as six months. Some employees will also be retiring and will receive retirement severance packages.”
“We are fully aware that, unfortunately, the severance amounts we offer as part of the group layoffs are not very high, but we are in a challenging financial situation. We are complying with all regulations and will make every effort to ensure that the departure of our employees is as painless as possible. That is why we are also providing safety nets—such as opportunities for our employees to find new jobs,” added Dr. Marcin Wojewódka.
Source: [ManagerPlus](https://managerplus.pl/zwolnienia-grupowe-w-pkp-cargo-73779)
