Northvolt Employee: I Feel Sad

Adam and Hanna moved from Central Europe to Skellefteå to work at Northvolt. Now their future is uncertain. It's a difficult and emotional situation for all of us, says Hanna.

» Updated: October 06 2024

» Published: September 24 2024

Northvolt Employee: I Feel Sad
Photo: Gustav Sjöholm/TT

Share this article

Hanna was one of the employees who gathered for the extraordinary meeting on Monday. There, she and the others were met with a cold shower. A thousand employees in Skellefteå are to be let go.

It was confusing, because we got the figures. But we don't know who will be affected. We're still waiting to hear who will be forced to leave the company and who won't, she says.

Hanna and Adam, who actually have different names, left their homeland half a year ago. Adam has worked as a consultant at Northvolt. In May, he was offered a lucrative contract, with double the salary, which he declined, hoping to land a job at the Stockholm office. Now that time feels distant. Instead, the consulting assignment expired when the company introduced a hiring freeze.

I feel sad, because I believed in Northvolt. I thought we would build something together. But it didn't turn out that way, he says.

Not surprised

At the same time, the news doesn't come as a major surprise to him.

I had a feeling all along that something wasn't right. I didn't trust the management and I saw that they didn't follow standards. They failed to meet customer expectations and demands, he says.

Nor is Hanna surprised.

But I like working for Northvolt, because my colleagues are helpful and kind, and I like the atmosphere there, she says.

Even among those who are not directly affected, Northvolt has been Monday's big topic of conversation. Skellefteå resident Anna Pettersson notes that a thousand people is a significant number.

Everyone knows someone who works there, friends' kids and so on, who have enjoyed it. It's really sad, she says.

Risk of housing crash?

Now she hopes it doesn't end with an even higher number of layoffs.

Maybe they should have started low and increased. Instead of starting up here, and then having to cut back, she says, measuring with her hand.

Several people who TT talks to mention the rising housing prices in the city, and all the new construction projects.

What happens now? You're afraid it will be a setback, says Anna Pettersson.

For Adam and Hanna, and many other employees, an uncertain future awaits.

I'm looking for a job in Sweden, because I really like it here. But we'll probably have to move from the city. But if we don't have any other options, we'll have to look to other countries, or return, says Adam.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Murdoch Family Finalizes Future Control of Fox After Rupert's Passing
1 MIN READ

Murdoch Family Finalizes Future Control of Fox After Rupert's Passing

Wall Street Sees Modest Gains as Trading Week Begins
1 MIN READ

Wall Street Sees Modest Gains as Trading Week Begins

Railway Derailments Disrupt Swedish Industry and Economy
3 MIN READ

Railway Derailments Disrupt Swedish Industry and Economy

Brazil's Lula Criticizes Trump's Tariffs at Brics Meeting
1 MIN READ

Brazil's Lula Criticizes Trump's Tariffs at Brics Meeting

Swedish Pensions Agency Reclaims 48 Million Kronor for Allra Victims
2 MIN READ

Swedish Pensions Agency Reclaims 48 Million Kronor for Allra Victims

Space X Acquires Network Spectrum from Echo Star in $17 Billion Deal
1 MIN READ

Space X Acquires Network Spectrum from Echo Star in $17 Billion Deal

Klarna Valuation Could Reach 150 Billion Kronor in 2023 Analysis
1 MIN READ

Klarna Valuation Could Reach 150 Billion Kronor in 2023 Analysis

Criticism Over No Increase in Sweden's Child Allowance
2 MIN READ

Criticism Over No Increase in Sweden's Child Allowance

Southern Sweden Gains Most from Electricity Price Protection
3 MIN READ

Southern Sweden Gains Most from Electricity Price Protection

Left Party Urges Transparency on Food Prices Ahead of VAT Reduction
1 MIN READ

Left Party Urges Transparency on Food Prices Ahead of VAT Reduction

German Industrial Production Surges Beyond Expectations in July
1 MIN READ

German Industrial Production Surges Beyond Expectations in July

NCC Highlights Sand and Gravel Shortage Threatening Nordic Projects
1 MIN READ

NCC Highlights Sand and Gravel Shortage Threatening Nordic Projects

Dollar and US Interest Rates Under Pressure Amid Fed Rate Cut Speculation
1 MIN READ

Dollar and US Interest Rates Under Pressure Amid Fed Rate Cut Speculation

Stockholm Stock Exchange Opens Week with Gains as OMXS Index Rises
2 MIN READ

Stockholm Stock Exchange Opens Week with Gains as OMXS Index Rises

Lower Taxes and Cheaper Preschool Proposed in Swedish Budget
3 MIN READ

Lower Taxes and Cheaper Preschool Proposed in Swedish Budget

Rising Evictions Impact More Children Amid Economic Struggles
2 MIN READ

Rising Evictions Impact More Children Amid Economic Struggles

Swedish Financial Authority Investigates Stock Fraud Targeting Small Investors
2 MIN READ

Swedish Financial Authority Investigates Stock Fraud Targeting Small Investors

Tokyo Stock Exchange Opens Week with Gains in Nikkei and Topix
1 MIN READ

Tokyo Stock Exchange Opens Week with Gains in Nikkei and Topix

China's Giant Solar Park in Qinghai: A Symbol of Green Transformation
3 MIN READ

China's Giant Solar Park in Qinghai: A Symbol of Green Transformation

South Korean Workers Detained in US Hyundai Raid to Be Flown Home
1 MIN READ

South Korean Workers Detained in US Hyundai Raid to Be Flown Home