HEIDELBERG (dpa-AFX) - According to a media report, the severance arrangements for the planned job cuts at software group SAP in Germany have been finalized. The company and the works council have reached an agreement, as reported by the "Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung" (Friday). Around 2600 of the approximately 25,300 jobs in Germany are to be cut.

A company spokesperson did not wish to comment on the report when asked on Thursday. He merely referred to the statement by the interim head of human resources at SAP in Germany, Wolfgang Fassnacht: "As on previous occasions, we are offering an extremely attractive package for those employees who wish to take early retirement or leave SAP as a result of this restructuring." The company is grateful to the works council's negotiating team for their excellent cooperation.

According to the newspaper report, the programs are aimed at SAP employees aged 55 or older. As with previous programs, the principle of double voluntariness applies: not only must the employee accept the offer, but SAP must also agree to it, the newspaper reported. SAP had previously spoken of around 8,000 jobs to be cut worldwide as part of a restructuring program.

The Walldorf-based company had already cut jobs in the past in order to streamline its organization and focus more on its core business of business management software.

"With the planned transformation program, we are increasingly shifting investments to strategic growth areas, primarily AI," explained CEO Christian Klein in January. "In this way, we will continue to develop pioneering innovations in the future and at the same time improve the efficiency of our business processes." By the end of 2025, SAP will invest almost one billion euros in this area, Klein said./ols/DP/zb