At its Berlin location, the energy startup Enpal dissolved its entire customer service department for photovoltaic systems during a town hall meeting on Tuesday, laying off 97 employees with immediate effect. The move stems from a restructuring of the service model, which had been in preparation for about a year and involved replacing previous responsibilities with dedicated customer service representatives. However, the move came without warning for those affected on the day of the announcement. Shortly afterward, their system access was blocked. Enpal stated that it offered individual consultations, garden leave, and severance packages. This development also comes at a time when Enpal was already under scrutiny following a failed attempt to establish a works council. (welt: 27.03.26)
The layoffs came as a complete surprise to those affected
Many employees initially thought the meeting was a normal internal event. Then it became clear that it would be their last meeting at Enpal. The management of Enpal Customer GmbH was present, as well as the HR department. Therefore, those affected were faced with a final decision within minutes.
According to the company, all dismissed employees were given proper notice of termination and simultaneously placed on garden leave. Enpal manager Wolfgang Gründinger explained: “All affected employees were given proper notice of termination and placed on garden leave in this process.” The HR department also offered individual meetings and “a settlement agreement including severance pay amounting to twice the standard severance payment.” However, according to available information, those who later return to the company group will have to repay this payment under certain conditions.
Enpal was already developing a new model in parallel
While the dismissed employees were still working as usual, the restructuring of customer service was apparently already underway internally. Gründinger said the move had been in preparation “for a year.” This only reinforces the impression of a harsh cut, as the employees themselves only learned of it on the day of their dismissal.
According to Enpal, the previous model is being replaced by dedicated contact persons who will guide customers through the entire process. Gründinger describes the new system as follows: “Instead of changing contacts from different departments, there will now be personal customer advisors who act as individual, central points of contact for all matters for their customers.” Enpal refers to these as “construction and customer advisors.” Furthermore, more than 100 such positions have already been filled, some internally and some externally. The company therefore points to a proven structure and significantly improved customer satisfaction.
Criticism of Enpal is growing, partly due to past conflicts
The mass layoff comes at a time when Enpal is already under heightened public scrutiny. At the end of February, the company faced criticism for a failed attempt to establish a works council. According to reports, the incident involved some disturbing scenes. After the failed attempt, some employees chanted, “You can go home, you can go home…” The mockery was directed at the initiators and union representatives present, while senior employees openly welcomed the outcome.
This is precisely why the dissolution of an entire service department carries particular weight. It not only affects 97 jobs but also casts a harsh light on the company’s internal handling of restructuring and personnel. At the same time, Enpal is not a fringe player but a highly valued energy company. In its last funding round, it was valued at €2.3 billion. As early as 2021, Enpal surpassed the €1 billion mark, thus achieving unicorn status. The break between rapid growth, a new service promise, and the abrupt separation of almost 100 employees is all the more jarring.