Abstract

The case examines the increase in employee downsizing across the world in the late 20th and early 21st century. The case discusses in detail the downsizing concept and explores its positive and negative impact on both, organization and employees. The case also examines the ‘best practices’ regarding downsizing and the steps downsized employees need to take, to overcome the trauma of being downsized and to find other jobs. It also discusses concepts such as flexible working arrangements and contingent employment that are being adopted by many companies to avoid the negative impact of downsizing.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Circumstances that led to the adoption of downsizing practices across the world.

Keywords

Increase, employee downsizing, late 20th,early 21st century, downsizing, concept, positive, negative, impact, employees, best practices, downsizing, trauma, jobs, flexible working arrangements, contingent employment, negative, downsizing