In a development that affected both Spain and parts of Europe, the ballooned discussions culminated in an agreement to wind down certain roles, with the Employment Regulation Registration (ERE) indicating that a layoff of 140 employees would affect the Barcelona offices and, to a lesser extent, Madrid. The company’s leadership raised compensation levels and secured a consensus with the workers’ lawyers, framing the outcome as a constructive step that preserves the core value the organization believes it offers. The parties involved described the arrangement as a positive development from Ronda and finalized the deal in the late afternoon, signaling a careful balance between business needs and the rights of staff members.
Just under two months after revealing the staff reductions, Glovo concluded its proceedings in Spain with a formal agreement. The technology company had faced a challenging year, including a 2022 loss near 300 million euros, and the mass layoffs were part of a larger restructuring aimed at returning to profitability in 2023, a goal echoed by its German parent company, Delivery Hero. Berlin headquarters initiated its own filing to lay off about 150 employees and adjust accounts in hopes of delivering on investor promises. In parallel, the Barcelona office implemented a similar path, preparing for a resolution by temporarily sending a little over a hundred workers home as negotiations continued.
Ultimately, the negotiations reached a close, although Collectiu Ronda noted potential concerns about certain procedural aspects of the process. The management team nevertheless increased the compensation offered, achieving a compromise that reflects the set of facts on the ground. Initially, Glovo had proposed severance terms akin to unfair dismissal, offering 33 days of pay per year of service. The final figures were adjusted downward to reflect the relatively short tenure of many affected workers. Reports from current and former employees describe a common pattern in similar deals, with payments reaching figures around 50,000 euros per year of service for those with extended tenure, though most were within shorter periods of employment. This outcome aligns with typical practice in situations where companies weigh the need to scale operations against the obligations to staff, and it underscores the importance of balancing legal protections with the realities of corporate restructuring. The negotiations were monitored by multiple stakeholders who weighed financial stability, workforce morale, and the long-term strategic position of the company as it navigates a challenging market environment.