Bayer Secures German Operations Until 2030 with New Agreement, Plans Structured Exit from Frankfurt Site
In a significant development for its workforce and long-term operational strategy in Germany, Bayer AG has reached a landmark agreement with employee representatives on the Supervisory Board regarding the future of its company sites and personnel structure within the country. The joint declaration outlines Bayer’s commitment to maintaining its German footprint until at least 2030 and ensures that any workforce reductions, particularly those related to the upcoming withdrawal from its Frankfurt am Main site, will be handled in a socially responsible and carefully managed manner.
Agreement Highlights Long-Term Commitment to German Sites
Under the terms of this new declaration, Bayer’s Group Executive Board has formally committed to keeping all existing company locations in Germany operational until the end of the decade. This commitment will apply to all Group companies operating within the country. The only exception to this guarantee is the site in Frankfurt am Main, which is scheduled to close by 2028 as part of a previously announced reorganization of Bayer’s Crop Science division.
The principles and commitments outlined in the declaration will, for the first time, be uniformly applicable to all Bayer companies in Germany. The content will be gradually integrated into collective labor agreements across the organization by mid-2026, signaling a coordinated and unified approach to employee relations and operational planning across the country.
Leadership Emphasizes Germany’s Strategic Importance
“Germany is and will remain important to Bayer. We have modern sites, committed employees, and a wealth of valuable expertise here,” said Bill Anderson, Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer AG. “We want to continue to leverage this potential together in the future to further develop Bayer in the interests of its customers, employees, and all stakeholders.”
Anderson’s comments underscore Bayer’s continued strategic investment in its German operations, even as the company undergoes a broader restructuring effort aimed at enhancing efficiency, competitiveness, and long-term profitability on a global scale.
Employee Representatives Acknowledge Challenges, Welcome Assurances
While Bayer’s announcement in May 2025 that it would exit the Frankfurt site and reduce its workforce at various other locations in Germany came as a shock to many employees, representatives on the company’s Supervisory Board say they have worked diligently to ensure that the impact of these changes will be mitigated through negotiated safeguards and transitional support.
“Bayer’s decision to withdraw from Frankfurt and cut jobs at other sites is a bitter blow for the colleagues affected, but also for Germany as a business location,” said Heike Hausfeld, Chairwoman of the Central Works Council of Bayer AG, and Francesco Grioli, a member of the Executive Board of the IGBCE (Industriegewerkschaft Bergbau, Chemie, Energie – Industrial Union of Mining, Chemicals and Energy).
“In our negotiations with the employer, it was very important to us not only to provide the best possible support for the employees directly affected, but also to obtain assurances for all other colleagues at Bayer in Germany that there will be no further site closures in the coming years,” Hausfeld and Grioli said in a joint statement. “Our aim is to create fair, secure, and viable prospects for all employees in Germany – we have succeeded in doing this with the key points of the joint statement.”
Structured and Socially Responsible Exit from Frankfurt Site
The planned closure of Bayer’s Frankfurt am Main site—home to parts of its Crop Science division—has prompted the company to design a comprehensive package of socially responsible measures aimed at minimizing the disruption to employees and ensuring a smooth transition for those impacted.
These measures include:
- Job Protection in the Event of Sale: In the event that parts of the site are sold to another operator, existing working conditions will be protected under the agreement.
- Relocation Assistance: Employees who opt to transfer to Bayer’s Monheim site will receive support to help them with the relocation process, including financial and logistical assistance.
- Attractive Severance Packages: For those not continuing with Bayer after the site closure, generous severance packages will be made available. These packages are designed to provide financial security during the transition to new employment.
- Outplacement Services: Bayer will assist affected employees in finding new roles outside the company, including career counseling, job placement services, and skills training opportunities.
These measures reflect Bayer’s stated goal of making the withdrawal from Frankfurt as smooth and respectful as possible, recognizing the contributions of the employees at the site while acknowledging the business need for consolidation within the Crop Science division.
Expanded Employment Protections from 2027 Onward
In a broader commitment to its workforce across Germany, Bayer will implement a new framework for individual employee protection beginning in 2027. Under this framework, employees whose positions are eliminated from January 1, 2027, onward will benefit from a structured protection phase rather than face immediate termination.
Specifically, affected employees who do not opt for a severance agreement after a six-month reflection period will be placed into a professional reorientation phase. During this time:
- Dismissals for Operational Reasons Will Be Excluded: Employees in this phase cannot be laid off due to operational reasons, offering them greater security as they seek new roles either within or outside the company.
- Protection Duration Based on Tenure: The length of the protection phase will be determined by the employee’s years of service at Bayer, recognizing and rewarding long-term commitment to the company.
- Support for Career Transitions: Employees will have access to re-skilling, upskilling, and other transition services to increase their chances of securing new roles in a changing job market.
Broader Context: Bayer’s Ongoing Transformation
Bayer’s current restructuring program, including the withdrawal from Frankfurt and the streamlining of operations, is part of a broader transformation strategy under CEO Bill Anderson. The company is seeking to become leaner and more agile amid rising pressure from global competition, inflation, regulatory scrutiny, and shareholder expectations.
In recent years, Bayer has faced challenges stemming from the integration of Monsanto, ongoing litigation related to glyphosate, and underperformance in certain business segments. The current reorganization aims to refocus the company on core strengths, improve its balance sheet, and position it for long-term growth, particularly in the fields of pharmaceuticals, crop science, and consumer health.
By securing long-term guarantees for its German workforce and locations—while simultaneously pursuing necessary efficiency measures—Bayer is signaling both stability and adaptability in a complex economic landscape.
