ny, reasonable severance packages should be offered to help the person until a new job is found. Downsizing not only affects workers that have been terminated, but also affects the survivors. This is commonly referred to as the survivor syndrome. Many people who survive as a result of downsizing often live with the fear that they too will be terminated. They are often shell shocked and distrustful. They are mentally scared survivors of an economic restructuring that they have never seen before. In this constant climate of economic insecurity, their jobs are constantly being redefined. They are forced to meet new levels of production criteria requiring them to do more work in less time and the notion of job security (because of expandability) is obsolete (Caudren 52).As for the remaining employees, simple means of communication can be very important. One of the major reasons for employee problems after a downsizing is the mistrust in the management and lack of knowledge regarding their own job status. If the employees are informed of what is transpiring within their company, they might not be fearful of losing their job, or so quick to stab a fellow employee in the back. This problem has affected millions of families in America and has forced good, decent workers to settle for lower wages and little or no benefits in exchange for supposed higher job security. I also have some personal experience with this subject. My father currently works for AT&T and survived the recent downsize and split the company underwent. However, he was not so lucky with his previous employer, Nabisco, Inc.. In 1988 Nabisco, Inc. and RJ Reynolds, Inc. Merged and downsized, laying off thousands of employees of which my father was one.- POSITIVE EFFECTS OF DOWNSIZING - Although downsizing can have devastating effects on those people on the negative side, the remaining employees can have tremendous opportunities for growth and skill development. After a rest...
