Business · Companies · 6 hrs ago
BioNTech works council criticizes company’s treatment of staff
BioNTech’s works council has criticized company leaders in a letter about how staff are being treated during the company’s restructuring.
Workers have told the council they fear for their jobs, feel left alone with their concerns and see decisions stalled.
The letter also cites reports of sexism, racism, discrimination and threats.
The concerns come as BioNTech plans to close its sites in Tübingen, Marburg and Idar-Oberstein by the end of 2028, affecting almost 2,000 jobs.
BioNTech says it takes the allegations seriously and does not tolerate discrimination, threats or retaliation against people who report concerns.
The company says it wants to talk with employee representatives and that its operations have not stopped.
The company is also facing a leadership change: co-founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci plan to leave by the end of 2026, and Guido Oelkers is due to become chief executive by February 1, 2027.
BioNTech’s works council has accused the company’s leadership of mishandling staff during a restructuring.
A letter to the executive board cited reports of sexism, racism, discrimination and threats, as well as staff fears about jobs and the future.
The council said employees felt alone with their concerns and described a perceived standstill in some decisions.
BioNTech said it takes the allegations seriously, rejects discrimination and threats, and disputes that its operations have stalled.
The company plans to close three sites by the end of 2028, affecting about 1,800 jobs, according to t-online.
- Who
- BioNTech’s works council and the company’s leadership.
- What
- The works council criticized the treatment of employees during restructuring and cited reports of misconduct and staff anxiety.
- When
- The letter was sent on Monday evening; the articles were published on November 3, 2026.
- Where
- BioNTech, a company based in Mainz, Germany.
- Why
- The council said restructuring and planned site closures had left employees uncertain and worried about their jobs and future.
BioNTech works council
BioNTech
Allegations
BioNTech works council
The council cited reports of sexism, racism, discrimination and threats, and described toxic workplace situations.
BioNTech
The company said it takes the allegations very seriously and does not tolerate discrimination, sexism, racism or threats.
Operational decisions
BioNTech works council
The council said employees in some areas perceived a standstill in decisions and called for clarity and reliable communication.
BioNTech
The company said there was no standstill in operations and that rumors should be distinguished from established facts.
The works council sent its letter to BioNTech’s executive board.
Employees reportedly criticized the executive board’s lack of a strategy at a staff meeting.
BioNTech plans to close its Tübingen site.
BioNTech plans to close its Marburg site.
BioNTech plans to close its Idar-Oberstein site.
- Letter
- Sent to BioNTech’s executive board on Monday evening
- Allegations
- Sexism, racism, discrimination and threats
- Planned site closures
- Tübingen, Marburg and Idar-Oberstein
- Jobs affected
- About 1,800, according to t-online
- Incoming chief executive
- Guido Oelkers, by February 1, 2027 at the latest
4 sources
"Toxische" Arbeitssituationen: Betriebsrat beklagt Missstände bei Biontech
Biontech: Betriebsrat wirft Führung Sexismus und Diskriminierung vor
Offener Brief an Vorstand: Biontech-Betriebsrat kritisiert Umgang mit Mitarbeitern
Pharma: „Toxische Situation“: Biontech-Betriebsrat prangert Umgang mit Mitarbeitern an
What people are saying
Mitarbeitende berichten von Zukunfts- und Arbeitsplatzängsten sowie dem Gefühl, mit ihren Sorgen allein zu sein und den Veränderungen hilflos gegenüberzustehen
Gerüchte einiger von gesicherten Fakten zu unterscheiden
Von einem Stillstand im operativen Geschäft kann jedoch keine Rede sein