On Maundy Thursday it became known that the Dutch authorities are also considering banning the sale of Easee’s charging boxes. This is reported by Aftenbladet. Easee should have had until April 18 to respond. The consequences of a possible sales ban in the Netherlands are not yet known. – The last few weeks have been special. There have been many ups and downs in emotions. That’s what Sindre Svines says, who was recently one of 138 employees made redundant by Easee. The reason for the mass redundancies is, among other things, that the Swedish authorities have introduced a sales freeze on two electric car chargers from Easee. Several Norwegian retailers have also stopped selling Easee chargers. It is earth protection failure that is at the heart of the dispute. This has led to around 40 per cent of the company’s employees now being made redundant. – I saw it coming. I work in the “People” department, which works with culture and creating a good atmosphere so that the people at work achieve their cultural goals. But I am not critical of operations, says Svines. Still, it was hard to get the message. – It’s a punch in the stomach when you get the message. Reality hits. The first thing that comes to mind is finances and work. Sindre Svines thinks it is easier to deal with the layoffs now than it was when the news first came. – The economy will work out, we are privileged in Norway, he says. Photo: Elise Pedersen / news Exhausting – The last few weeks can be summed up in one word: exhausting, says Christian Sædberg to news. He is communications manager in the company. And now laid off. Easee employees at the offices in Sandnes, Tønsberg and Oslo have been made redundant. – This is what needs to be done, and unfortunately my role was not one of the most critical for us to get over this little problem we are now facing, says Sædberg. Christian Sædberg during one of his last days at the Easee office before the layoff comes into effect. Photo: Hanne Høyland / news Read also: Easee employees: – It is a very sad and difficult situation – It has been extremely long days ever since this case appeared in Sweden, and they only got longer when there was a negative answer from the Swedish Electrical Safety Authority. That the whole case has had a rather tragic outcome, no one can dispute. Nobody thinks this is nice, but the employees here react differently. Sædberg himself does not take the layoff so seriously. – It’s hard to sit on the sidelines when all you want to do is help, but there’s not much you can do. The Easee case: This has happened The Swedish supervisory body Elsäkerhetsverket questioned Easee’s chargers Easee Home and Easee Charge in February. On Tuesday 14 March, it was decided to completely stop sales in Sweden. The background is, among other things, that the charging box does not have an earth fault breaker that meets the requirements of the Swedish authorities. In Norway, the Easee chargers are still sold, but several Easee dealers have temporarily stopped selling and installing the chargers. Easee has announced that they will appeal the decision to the Swedish Safety Agency, and collect money from investors. But the case can take time, and as a consequence, subcontractor Norautron sent notice of dismissal to 81 of its employees on Tuesday 21 March. On Friday 17 March, Easee announced mass layoffs of its employees. On Friday 24 March, 138 of the company’s employees were notified of layoffs. Easee charger which is still in the box. Several Norwegian retailers have stopped selling the chargers. Photo: Elise Pedersen / news Last in – first out The fact that Sædberg was to be made redundant did not come as a bombshell, he says. – I was reasonably sure that I was one of those who could receive a layoff notice. As one of the last hundred in, I thought this would be natural. Last in, first out, there’s something called. The company’s employees were notified of the extent of the layoffs at a general meeting. – I cannot relate to the sadness that many people feel. I know this is necessary, and I’m thinking of sitting on the bench and waiting. Svines also says that he now does not take the layoff as seriously, even though he has worked for the company since December 2021. – We were then 9–10 employees at the Oslo office where I work. Now we are 60. But I was the last to join my team. When conditions are so harsh and it’s about survival, I understand it very well, he says. Christian Sædberg says he does not like sitting on the sidelines, but that he is ready to spend more time with his family. Photo: Hanne Høyland / news Hopes that the ship will turn – but does not rule out other possibilities The layoff is temporary, and lasts up to five months. – There is also a possibility that the ship can turn around before this, which I of course hope for. I really believe in Easee, and would very much like to join the journey further when we are on the right track again. Nevertheless, this is uncertain, and Sædberg is clear that one must also be pragmatic in such situations. – Should an opportunity arise while sitting on the bench, I have to think about what is best, both for me and my family. I guess that’s how it is for most of us. Svines agrees. – What hurts the most is thinking about not going to work with the people I’ve come to love so much. So if they want me back, I’ll be happy to come back. New ways But neither Svines nor Sædberg want to lie on the lazy side while they are laid off. The former has the Instagram account “Plantegut”, where he takes up his great passion: cultivation. – I work with green joy. I have 200 plants inside, and spread my knowledge about cultivation and plants, he says. Sindre Svines will now cultivate his interest in cultivation. Photo: Elise Pedersen / news If the account becomes large, Svines does not rule out that this is what he wants to make a living from. – I must be productive. If there is a social media position that is completely wild, then that would be very nice. But I won’t be looking for jobs myself. Sædberg says he wants to use the layoff time to cultivate his interest in music. – I play the drums, and hope that some of the other musicians who are laid off will play in the meantime. There is something to do with colleagues. Over 200 resignations and redundancies On Wednesday 22 March, the notification came that 81 employees at Norautron in Horten, which manufactures charging boxes from Easee, have received notice of redundancy. No Easee employees have received notice of dismissal. – It is because we are quite sure that we will get through this in a good way. Of course, we want to get the laid-off people back again, Easee CEO Jonas Helmikstøl has previously told news. Easee CEO Jonas Helmikstøl met news after the general meeting where the employees learned that 138 were going to be made redundant. Photo: Tom Edvindsen
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Laid off after the Easee crisis – Uncertain if they will return – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
