Downsizing과 Layoff, 그 현실과 문제점

The Fact and Problems of Downsizing and Layoff

인력감축을 중심으로 한 downsizing에 있어서도 근로시간 감축, 직무분할, 배치전환 등의 다양한 방법이 존재하지만 현실에 있어서는 많은 기업들이 layoff을 선호하고, 이 역시 구성원의 반응에 대한 분석과 대안이 부족한 가운데 추진된다는 것이다. Layoff은 조직관리에 있어서도 많은 영향을 미친다. downsizing은 기존 질서의 변화를 유발하는데 이는 구성원의 사기와 심리상태 및 성과에 직접적인 영향을 준다는 것이다. 따라서 Layoff은 신중하고 객관적인 절차를 통하여 공개적으로 추진되어야 할 것이다. 그러나 현실적으로는 효율성과 비용절감이라는 명분에서 일방적 발표나 절차에 의하여 추진되고 있다. 이러한 결과와 현상의 부정적 측면들이 지적되고 있는 것이며 역설적으로 downsizing과 layoff이 추구하는 생산성과 효율성 확보의 장애요인이 되고 있는 것이다. 이에 본 연구는 layoff을 중심으로 한 downsizing에 있어서의 현실과 문제점을 논의하고자 한다.

Layoffs are done to save money. Unfortunately, they are usually a short term fix, detrimental to the company. So why do so many companies persist in using layoffs as a first choice for cutting costs, and what are some of the alternatives. CEO missed our numbers Sometimes things don't work out as forecast. Clients delay purchases. Suppliers raise prices. Competitors steal market share. Quarterly, at least in the US, companies have to face the forecasts they made. Public companies have to face Wall Street too. Investor don't like surprises. They don't value executives who miss their numbers. And they expect quick and strong action to addresses the issues. Unfortunately, the very pressure to take action quickly ultimately works against their own best interest. McKinley, et al point out in "Organizational downsizing : Constraining, cloning, learning" that "while downsizing has been viewed primarily as a cost reduction strategy, there is considerable evidence that downsizing does not reduce expenses as much as desired, and that sometimes expenses may actually increase. More than thirty years ago, James Lincoln warned that the costs of layoffs generally outweigh the payroll savings to be gained from them." Job cuts reduce performance. Companies contemplating layoffs need to consider more than just the hoped for cost savings from a layoff. They need to consider, and plan for, the less obvious effects. They need to consider the reduced morale and the reduced performance and innovation it will bring. They need to consider the reduced quality of the company's overall workforce that will result.