Effects of Downsizing

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Effects of Downsizing

Downsizing has been known by several different names, in the late 1970's and the early 1980's it was called reduction-in-force, as of late it has been called restructuring government, privatization, contracting out and last but not least downsizing. "In the public sector it is called "privatization". In business it is called "downsizing. Otherwise it's known as "contracting out." Code words change but the intent is the same." (DIAF 99) Public governments seem to think that using Downsizing, privatization or contracting out are the best ways to balance or cut money from the budget. In actuality the worker is being hurt in his economic pocket. Downsizing, privatization, and contracting out have caused the workers and the government to become distant team players with no common goal in sight. In fact, there has been an increase in the disparity between the two. An alarming fact is that there is no legislation or policies in place that protects the worker when any of the above occurs.

Downsizing in public governments has become a means to an end. Instead of finding alternative ways to cut the budget, positions or jobs are the first to be eliminated. In his bid for election, President Clinton promised to reduce the size of the government workforce. "As the 20th century draws to a close, Washington has been the focus of intense government downsizing effort." (Goldenkoff 1997) Since the early 1980's, downsizing has made government clearly the winner and the workers the losers in this game. This happens because in life, as in most things, someone must win and someone must lose. If numbers were the only thing effected you would be led to believe that cutting jobs or displacing workers were successful methods f...

... middle of paper ...

...has to win and some one has to lose.

Work Cited

Abstracts of GAO Reports and Testimony, FY96 http:www.gao.gov/AindexFY96/

Goldenkoff, Robert. "Report Card on Downsizing" Government Executive Magazine

(February 1997)

Hoffman, Lowell E. "Welcome to The National Organization of Downsized Employees, NODE" http:/pages.prodgy.com/node/

Kirschner, Elisabeth. "Downsizing" Chemical and Engineering News (Oct. 28, 1996)

Nelson, F. Howard. "Analyzing the Cost of Contracting Out", http: www.aft.org/research/

Government Executive Magazine Website. "Outsourcers" http:www.govexd.com/reinvent/downsize/

Government Executive Magazine Website. "Government for Sale" http:www.govexe.com/reinvent/downsize/

"Pink Slips with a Silver Lining" Business Week Feb. 9, 1998

"Agencies That Reported They Planned Their Use of Buyouts" http:www.access.gpo.gov

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