Downsizing

— Introduction —

If you are reading this book, it is very likely that your organization either has an immediate need to reduce the number of employees or is planning to downsize in some significant way in the future. On paper, the need might be very clear, as well as the cause: a sudden downturn in the economy, changing markets, world or political events, a merger or an acquisition, or any of a number of other reasons. The problem is compounded by the fact that one organization’s downsizing initiatives often creates the need for similar reductions in other companies in the customer-supplier chain of business. This is downsizing’s domino effect.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, the decision comes down to a matter of ...