Are the job cuts happening through a voluntary programme or through dismissals?

What was communicated was a socially responsible reduction via a voluntary programme, meaning termination agreements (Aufhebungsverträge) under which you leave voluntarily. This is exactly where it pays to have things checked: a termination agreement can trigger a benefit suspension period (Sperrzeit) for unemployment benefit (§ 159 SGB III, usually twelve weeks), and the amount of the severance pay is negotiable. If it does come to an operational dismissal instead, the three-week time limit for an unfair dismissal claim (Kündigungsschutzklage) applies (§ 4 KSchG).

Am I entitled to severance pay at ProSiebenSat.1?

There is generally no automatic statutory claim to severance pay. Under a voluntary programme, the severance pay results from the package offered, or from any social plan (Sozialplan) (in the case of a change of operations under §§ 111, 112 BetrVG). If necessary, a social plan can be enforced via the conciliation committee under § 112 Abs. 4 BetrVG. Because a voluntary programme depends on your signature, the terms are often negotiable.

How much severance pay is being offered at ProSiebenSat.1?

A reliable answer can only come from your specific offer or the social plan. The common rule of thumb (0,5 gross monthly salaries per year of employment) is only a rough reference value, not a basis for a legal claim. What is realistic for you depends on age, length of service, role and negotiating position, we work through this with you before you sign.

Should I accept the voluntary offer?

This comes down to doing the maths: the amount of severance pay versus the social plan formula, the benefit suspension risk for unemployment benefit (§ 159 SGB III), the possible suspension of your claim if the notice period is not observed (§ 158 SGB III), plus tax (the one-fifth rule, § 34 EStG, which since 1.1.2025 has only been granted as part of the income tax assessment and only where income is bunched together). We assess your package in an initial consultation at no cost to you, before you let a deadline pass.

What does advice from you cost?

The initial consultation comes at no cost to you. If you instruct us, we work on a success basis via litigation funding, so you bear no upfront cost risk.

Severance Pay (Abfindung) at ProSiebenSat.1: Job Cuts 2025

The announced job cuts amount to around 430 full-time positions, communicated on 07.05.2025. The cuts are meant to proceed in a socially responsible way through a voluntary programme. This is an announced target figure, not redundancies already carried out; the exact breakdown by department and location was not made public (sources: film-tv-video.de, DIGITAL FERNSEHEN, meedia.de).

Reviewed by specialized labor lawyers · Updated: September 2026

ProSiebenSat.1 announced on 07.05.2025 that it would cut around 430 full-time positions (source: film-tv-video.de, 07.05.2025; DIGITAL FERNSEHEN).

The cuts are meant to proceed in a socially responsible way through a voluntary programme: operational dismissals were not the focus of the announcement.

This is an announced target figure (430 full-time positions), not redundancies already carried out; the breakdown by department and location was not made public.

For the restructuring, the group set aside a provision in the mid to high double-digit millions in the second quarter of 2025; the full annual impact is expected in 2026.

CEO Bert Habets explained the step with reference to the profound structural change in the media industry, the company wants to become faster, more efficient and more digital.

We review your voluntary redundancy or termination agreement offer at no upfront cost, paid only on success.

Job cuts at ProSiebenSat.1: what's happening right now?

The media group ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE (headquartered in Unterföhring near Munich) announced on 7 May 2025 that it would cut around 430 full-time positions (film-tv-video.de, 07.05.2025; DIGITAL FERNSEHEN). The cuts are meant to proceed in a socially responsible way through a voluntary programme. For the restructuring, the group set aside a provision in the mid to high double-digit millions in the second quarter of 2025; the full annual impact of the lower material and personnel costs is expected in 2026. Importantly: this is an announced target figure, not redundancies already carried out (as of: September 2026).

Voluntary programme & affected departments

The cuts are meant to be carried out via a voluntary programme, meaning termination agreements under which employees leave voluntarily.
The exact breakdown of the roughly 430 full-time positions across departments and locations was not made public.
CEO Bert Habets explained the step with reference to the profound structural change in the media industry; the company wants to become faster, more efficient and more digital (meedia.de).

Your rights & the benefit suspension risk

A voluntary programme depends on your signature, which strengthens your negotiating position. At the same time, caution is advised: a termination agreement can trigger a benefit suspension period for unemployment benefit (§ 159 SGB III, usually twelve weeks); this is distinct from the suspension of your claim if the statutory notice period is not observed (§ 158 SGB III). If it does come to an operational dismissal, you have only three weeks from receipt of the notice to file an unfair dismissal claim (§ 4 KSchG). There is no automatic statutory right to severance pay, the rule of thumb is only a reference value; a claim can arise from a social plan (§§ 111, 112 BetrVG), a termination agreement or a court settlement.

Received a voluntary offer? Have it checked first

What needs checking: the amount against the social plan formula and your profile, the benefit suspension risk for unemployment benefit, the notice period, waiver and settlement clauses, as well as tax: the one-fifth rule (§ 34 EStG) has, since 1.1.2025, only been granted as part of the income tax assessment and requires a bunching of income. Upload your document, the critical points are flagged within seconds, at no cost to you.

How it works with us

An initial consultation at no cost to you, an assessment of your offer by our specialised partner law firm, and if you instruct us, negotiation backed by litigation funding, with no upfront cost risk to you. Here's how the cost model works.

Please note: Team Abfindung is an independent provider and has no connection to ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE. Only publicly reported information about the job cuts is referenced here.

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