Not a new idea by the way. Especially in Germany where labor laws are strong and companies are generally less hostile, some try to avoid doing layoffs by offering cash payments for retiring early or quitting. 25k would be considered quite a low offer though (and that is in Germany, where wages are generally much lower and taxes much higher).
Which part of Germany and which companies are these? I have never heard of such arrangements. Even if there were, these payments will get eaten up by taxes and will leave peanuts. Hell, instead of such, I heard more stories of claw-backs(asking for refunds of paid salary because termination date was 7 days before the end of month or more or less…)
