The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Information / Computing 62 - Computer programming, consultancy and related activities 62.2 - Computer consultancy and computer facilities management activities 62.20 - Computer consultancy and computer facilities management activities
122 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
2 April 2026
Employment effect (start)
2 June 2026
Foreseen end date
Description
Ocado Technology, a British technology company that provides digital solutions to retailers such as Alcampo and Bonpreu, has launched a collective redundancy process (ERE) affecting 122 employees at its Barcelona office in the 22@ district. According to the works council, this represents 72% of the local workforce, making it one of the most significant recent tech-sector cutbacks in the city.
The company has reportedly justified the measure on organisational and productive grounds rather than economic ones. However, employee representatives argue that the real motive is the relocation of activity to countries with lower labour costs. They warn that the proposed redundancies would affect highly qualified professionals, including software developers, data scientists, product managers and UX writers, thereby undermining a centre built around high value-added digital expertise.
Although the process is still in its consultation phase, the works council has already announced planned demonstrations outside the company’s Barcelona offices and is considering strike action. The development adds to growing concerns about job stability within the city’s technology hub.
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
The retail banking sector is fertile ground for studying the impacts of digitalisation on work and employment. Financial services are increasingly provided online, without the intermediary of customer-facing institutions.
European labour markets have recovered strongly from COVID-19. By the end of 2021, little more than 18 months after the start of the pandemic, employment rates in the EU were almost at pre-crisis levels.
