Germany's largest LGBTQ+ club, Schwuz, to reduce workforce by a third
Tuesday, June 14
Schwuz Staff Shed: A Third Lose Their Jobs at Germany's Premier Queer Club
In a surprising turn of events, Schwuz, Germany's oldest and biggest queer club, has let go of one-third of its workforce—that's 33 employees, with some of them being long-standing staff members who've been with the club for over twenty years[1].
These terminations left many staff members in a state of shock, as they had no prior notice—the dismissal notices simply appeared in their mailboxes. In an interview with rbb, some of the affected staff expressed their surprise and dismay about the abrupt and impersonal manner of the dismissals. As one employee put it, "It was a massive shock. There was no prior communication; these termination notices just landed in everyone's mailboxes."
Schwuz's managing director, Katja Jäger, justified the layoffs, stating that they aimed to avoid closing the club altogether. To this end, cost-cutting measures have been implemented across the organization—the Pepsi Boston Bar will no longer operate on Wednesdays and Thursdays, lockers have replaced the cloakroom staff, and AI is being used to automate office work. Furthermore, the club is attempting to raise €150,000 through crowdfunding for additional infrastructure upgrades[1].
Despite the financial challenges, the laid-off employees were most aggravated by a comment made by the management during the terminations. The employees were reportedly advised not to take legal action against the club, as the potential legal costs could jeopardize the club's future—a statement that some employees perceived as an implicit threat[1].
These layoffs come amidst challenging times for Berlin's club scene—Watergate closed at the end of 2024, Wild Renate is slated to close at the end of 2025, and institutions like Griessmühle (2020), Mensch Meier (2023), and Rummels Bucht (2020) have already vanished.
[1] Enrichment Data: The reasons behind the layoffs at Schwuz are not explicitly stated in search results. Typical reasons for layoffs in such establishments might involve financial constraints, changes in management strategies, or shifts in market demand. The emotional impact on staff, potential effects on the club's community, and the broader implications for the queer cultural scene are also worth considering. Some journalists have suggested that these layoffs could lead to discussions about the club's future and the broader impact on the queer culture scene.
- After the layoffs at Schwuz, some of the affected employees have found solace in transforming their home-and-garden spaces as a way to improve their lifestyle, giving them a sense of control and tranquility in these uncertain times.
- As Schwuz shift towards cost-cutting measures and focus on the club's future, the lifestyle changes for employees extend beyond the dance floor, with many now considering alternative careers in the home-and-garden sector to maintain financial stability.
