Goodgame denies ‘unfair dismissal’ of 28 employees

Leading social games developer Goodgame Studios has countered allegations that it fired 28 employees unfairly.

Trade union Ver.di claimed it was working with staff at Goodgame to form a works council, but many of these were made redundant before an election could be held in November, according to GamesIndustry.

The site reports that Goodgame head of communications and public affairs Dirk Hensen has since responded to these allegations.

“After thorough examination, the Company decided to part with 28 employees from different departments for solely operational (betriebliche) reasons (Overstaffing in certain areas, however, also with regards to performance-related and behavioral issues with single employees).

“Contrary to statements from other sources, those layoffs are not related to plans of founding a workers’ council, particularly since we did not know of a council election nor the planned appearance of a union representative at our offices on the 25th of November.”

Goodgame reached 1,000 employees late last year and has continued recruiting in 2015, even launching a new casual games team.