WFH and meeting blocks, anyone know what’s up?
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US Batavia office just got another notice for all to work from home tomorrow. Probably more layoffs and “restructuring”
NCI meetings going in next week. Any idea what the outcome of these will be?
More and more work is being centralised, either to head office or from there to Germany, or being outsourced. They do it in small numbers so it isn't noticeable
Some more UK jobs going with two distribution centres being closed and replaced with one huge automated one
Aldi appears to be quietly reducing its workforce. The company has stopped distributing the usual HR emails that announce staffing changes—including new hires, department transfers, and departures. Ex-staff members' reports suggest they are conducting retroactive reviews going back as far as six months to find any grounds for termination. This approach seems aimed at downsizing the buying team without drawing attention, as those who have been let go are not being replaced. It’s a disheartening tactic that reflects the darker side of corporate cost-cutting. Don't let Aldi fool you; they are just as greedy as any other corporation.
I am hearing more changes are coming soon. Anyone here anything?
The way this is being handled is awful. Aldi has always had a cut throat reputation but this in on another level. SAP has bought in a lot of automation this was always known. The majority of BAAs were bought in on 2 Yr contracts for the roll out but were made permanent. Why do that if you are now just making the redundant! My heart goes out the every single member of every team who is affected. Only saving grace is you should be a top candidate for other companies having been at Aldi.
ABs/ pricing/ any admin work is going to be offshored soon. They are simplifying every role using AI and automation as much as possible so when it is time to move things everything runs smoothly.
This also impacts the NIT department. We have people on FTCs and Secondments from Buying who will not have a role to go back to. The likelihood of them having an extension is extremely low due to support levels being removed. Local NIT Level 2 support has already been removed for some areas, IT support will go from the GSD straight to the vendors. NITDs are being replaced by senior managers taking on more responsibility.
Before Christmas we were put in another meeting about Recruitment Freezes and were categorically told 'no one was losing their jobs'. 2 months later and redundancies happen. There is no way that they didn't know the future company plans prior to Christmas. Lost faith in all communication delivered by this company, no compassion, putting staff into a false sense of security and consistent lies about future plans. The redundancy meetings were cold, a classic 'scripted corporate response' with no empathy towards the ones that lost their job. What's the betting remaining employees will be responsible for getting IB setup and getting all admin work transitioned to India, then those people will be required surplus to the business.
GB finance 172 people will lose their job between now and 2027 (timeline hasn't been announced who is going when) with a smaller 20 person team being formed after. Options are you take your redundancy package, apply for one of the 20 spaces and stay on if successful or try and move elsewhere in the business.
GB here - buying assistants for non food specials all made redundant by end of 2025. There will only be 4 managers 2 BDs and about 20BAs left looking after Soecials - can take redundancy or apply for these positions.If you’re seconded from that dept. Elsewhere you’re safe till the end of the secondment, after that no default position to go back to. All admin staff; cust service, fire fighters, finance outsourced to India. All buying for NFSB will be taken over by Germany/IB by 31.12.25. Major cull of BDs and BMs…
Toxic positivity culture, smile your on camera.
And in tomorrow’s GMA they won’t mention anything and rave about how great the company is doing. This is a repeat of last year.
Get out now. Contact local news outlets.
The way this layoff was handled has created a sense of unease and anxiety throughout the entire department. The meetings fueled speculation and rumors, making it difficult for everyone to focus on their work. This disruption impacts productivity and morale.
Additionally, deeply disappointed by the apparent lack of empathy shown during the layoff communication. This is an incredibly difficult time for everyone involved, and the way the news was delivered felt insensitive and uncaring. Specifically, the lack of acknowledgement of the impact on those affected who’ve been with the company for decades.
People should 100 percent be worried. They aren’t going to flat out say that because they need people to keep working. But if you think they won’t cut whoever they want at a moments notice, you haven’t been paying attention the last six months.
UK got word that buying admin assistants are being eliminated. Partially this year but totally by 2027. I don't know how any leadership role could be confident that US associate buyers are safe. It's their job to keep people working.
I’m still in shock over the people they let go. It’s so heartbreaking to know that those people lost their jobs today, my heart goes out to them and their families.
I am super thankful that my boss was not cut. When I spoke with them I asked if layoffs for ABs were next. Since they have restructured the top and the middle, it would make sense that in a few months we would all be next on the chopping block. They seemed confident that wouldn’t be the case, but I am still worried. If they didn’t care about the directors and managers, why would they care about the ABs.
Yeah there's no way more people don't get laid off.
A 3 minute meeting to offer support to the team after losing someone who was here for 25 years…. Laughable.
Do you supposed we will get a workplace survey ever again?
So they blocked off hours from people’s schedules days in advance to speak for 15 minutes followed by quick touch bases with GBD? Was that worth igniting the rumor mill and having hundreds of people fearing for their jobs? I am sad for those who lost their roles but it seems that could’ve been told to them privately and then shared amongst larger teams later?
Just wrapped up our quick GBD meeting. We were told who our new director will be effective immediately. Someone asked if we should be worried about our positions and received a generic “we have nothing to share about additional changes at this time.” Preparing to see the max exodus of ABs trying to get out ahead of the next storm.
Our GBD meeting is on our BD calendar for EOD
Anyone else still waiting for their GBD meeting invite?
Curious to know how everyone’s GBD meetings go!
GB buying assistants for non food specials all made redundant by end of 2025. All admin staff outsourced to India. All buying for NFSB will be taken over by Germany/IB. Major cull of BDs and BMs
Re: unionizing, did anyone else see that an Aldi store in staten island held a vote to join the UFCW a couple months ago? The case is still open on the NLRB website.
I’m not sure if we can join the same union since we’re in the office, but there is an office workers union we could join. We need to join to together and protect our jobs.
I know for a fact those whose positions were eliminated weren't made aware until earlier today. It's absolutely insane that the affected teams weren't informed privately.
The 8 people let go were told privately, they said that. It is wild to me that everything is based around Germany when US is the biggest
The writing is on the wall. First divisional office staff were centralized. Then national finance was outsourced. Now lifelong employees are unceremoniously let go on calls with 800 people. The end goal of SAP is increased automation and increased centralization. The US office isnt the center, Germany is.
Id be shocked if the guided sourcing rollout is not intended to lower the skill requirement to do AB work. The US AB team will be reduced or eliminated. There's no doubt about that. It's the only explanation for the colossal disconnect between our growth and these layoffs.
All while making less than retail employees at Costco.
So about unionizing….
I think the way this was handled was absolutely absurd. A vague email 4 days beforehand with a demand to work remote and then the robotic reading of a slideshow with zero emotion… This news should have been given to the impacted teams privately first and then brought to the larger group. My heart breaks for all who are impacted in the US and otherwise.
I believe the meetings with GBDs will be more of the same messaging. Some of us will get a new GBD too since they’re restructuring everything.
That was incredibly fu---d up. 3 days of emotional torment followed by a meeting full of corporate bs and a brand new acronym. I’m so upset for everyone who lost their job today.
I guess US ABs are safe… for now. Don’t get too comfortable. More change is inevitable once IB gets the hang of things. I think this is just announcement number one of many to come.
I think US ABs are good for now, but I would say that I no longer feel the same job security that I did last week. No cost of living increase this year, and you know Jason and all the other VPs probably got fat raises with their restructuring a few months ago. Our days are numbered.
If we are safe, why the meetings with GBDs later? That was about as clear as mud if you ask me. Just be honest, how many people are being eliminated so we can see how aldi has gone by without having to give information in the IL WARN notice!
Not very Moments that Matter of them.