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TikTok Berlin Moderation Layoffs Finalized as Social Plan Is Set and Verdi Ends Campaign

An arbitration committee approved severance terms of at least €17,000 with specific top‑ups and limited notice extensions for workers whose residency depends on their contracts.

Overview

  • About 150 Trust‑and‑Safety employees in Berlin are losing their jobs after months of strikes and legal proceedings.
  • Termination letters were issued last week, including to some staff on parental leave, according to Verdi.
  • The social plan provides a minimum €17,000 payout rising with tenure, plus €3,000 per child, €5,000 for disability, and a bonus for waiving a dismissal lawsuit.
  • Verdi ended the dispute after failing to secure a collective agreement that sought a 12‑month notice period and severance of up to three years’ salary.
  • The cuts are part of ByteDance’s Project Beam, which is shrinking in‑house moderation and shifting work to outside vendors and automated systems.