Two former Docler employees testify: “I did not expect such a catastrophic departure”

Within the Docler holding company, employees were dismissed to be replaced by AI. “We have decided to automate an important part of the work processes and to entrust them to artificial intelligence solutions,” says the company. There are more than 50 people who have lost their jobs. THE Luxembourg word met with two of them.

Luxembourg is doing a lot to attract skilled workforce from abroad. Successfully. “As I wanted to expand my career prospects, I started to look for a dynamic technological center. Luxembourg appeared as one of these places, ”explains for example Jonas (assumed first name). Maximilian (assumed first name) was also attracted to the Grand Duchy.

Read also:

The Docler group is restructured with AI and removes jobs in Luxembourg

“I had visited Luxembourg in 2020,” he says. The country pleased him, it was “very international”, there were “many large companies” and public transport was free. All in the Grand Duchy seemed to him “well organized” and “very clean”. Nature has also left him a lasting impression. By looking for new job opportunities on LinkedIn, it was attracted to a job offer from Docler Holding.

A vacant position at Byborg, a subsidiary of Docler Holding, aroused his interest. The position seemed promising, so he applied. It was at the start of the year. Shortly after, a message from Luxembourg arrived in his mailbox. “A recruiter contacted me and invited me to an interview,” he says.

Enthusiasm for the new position

Maximilian informed his family. “They were very happy with the possibility of moving to another country, especially in Luxembourg”. The salary by Byborg promised him was interesting and he had to pay less tax. The apartment he finally found was also better than the one he had in Germany at the time. The family promised to be “a very positive change in our life”.

At the start of the year, Jonas accepted a full -time job at Byborg. “I am not a citizen of the EU,” he says. To be able to take this post, he needed a work permit and a visa, which took four months. Doclerholding supported him in this process. “They waited for months that the administrative formalities were completed and have also borne the moving costs,” he said.

Before coming to Luxembourg, Jonas had to leave behind the life he led to his country. “I left my job fixed and my apartment, sold my car and left my family behind me,” he said. In Luxembourg, he signed a two -year lease for the rental of an apartment. Then he wandered his bags. “In June, I officially started working in Luxembourg”. He left his partner in his old country. She too is looking for a job in Luxembourg, but for that, she still has to learn the language and study for an entrance exam.

Of the application for hiring

While Jonas was already working in Luxembourg, Maximilian was questioned by the Human Resources Service of the holding company. “They even called me to find out why I had resigned from my former employer,” he says.

The interlocutor was worried and wanted to make sure that the new recruit would remain longer in the business. Retrospectively, he can’t help but laugh at this conversation. However, he was able to carry out the application process. “I received the job offer, which I accepted with pleasure”. The employment contract ready to be signed should be sent to him after the interview, he was told. This was the case shortly after. He signed and his job change was perfect. “Everything was ready for me to work for them,” he says.

Read also:

End of maternity leave, beginning of uncertainty for mothers who work

Meanwhile, Docler’s layoffs drew his attention. “I told my wife that it worried,” says Maximilian. However, he did not let himself be diverted from his projects. “I left my job in Germany and looked for an apartment in Luxembourg”. After signing the rental contract, he also terminated his old apartment and called on a moving company. Docler had promised him 5,000 euros to start his new life. Everything seemed to go for the best and the family settled in the new apartment.

But after five days in Luxembourg, the shock took place: another email arrived in its mailbox. He indicated that Byborg had withdrawn his employment contract and that he was therefore zero and not avenue. “They wished me good luck”. Maximilien remained speechless.

The financial consequences of termination

After digesting the news, he remembered the Docler’s proposal to financially support his move. “I sent a message, but it was ignored.” He assesses the damage suffered at around 5,000 euros. “In Germany, I had a salary above average. Now I have nothing and I have to pay for an apartment that costs three times more. ”

For Jonas, everything went well and he adapted to his new job. Then he was suddenly dismissed. “I was explained that this dismissal was not due to my performances, but that it was part of a vast restructuring,” he said without really being able to believe it.

Jonas figures the damage he suffered at an even higher level. “My estimated expenses amount to around 20,000 euros,” he says. This amount includes the plane ticket, the temporary accommodation, the apartment for rent and the purchase of furniture. In short, everything we need to start a new stage in his life.

Read also:

Licensees due to illness? Criticisms against cactus are multiplying

The hope of a new professional start in Luxembourg

Both are now stuck in Luxembourg. Even if they have had bad experiences, they want to stay. “I am looking for a new job in Luxembourg,” says Maximilian. He likes the country and has just moved to a new apartment. “I do not predict any other short-term move,” he says.

Read also:

ArcelorMittal: What is the number of positions targeted by the social plan in Florange?

He gives the following advice to those of his former colleagues who still work at Docler: “If I still worked there, I would immediately look for a new job. It is not a good sign when a company restructures and dismisses people. I bet there are better employers in Luxembourg ”.

Jonas also wants to give Luxembourg a second chance. “I remain convinced that the country offers great opportunities,” he said, but he nuances: “I did not expect such a catastrophic departure. I was not prepared to be dismissed so early. No one would be ”.

This article was initially published on the website of Luxembourg word.

It was translated using artificial intelligence tools that learn from data from human translations, then checked by Antony Special.