Downsizing

12 Pages 2883 Words

SECTION 1: PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS
We will take AT &T as an example. “ In 1992, AT &T downsized to remain competitive in the global market. They released 18,000 human operators and replaced them with automated machines.”2
The performance problem by human resource management is simply poor planning. Management did not realize the potential problems that lay ahead for the company as a whole. If downsizing is not effectively planned, managed or implemented it can cause a number of consequences. The consequences up for discussion are:
1. Downsizing causes resentment and resistance in surviving employees
2. Downsizing if not handled carefully will cause financial set backs
HR management must handle employees, both survivors and former, with kid gloves. Downsizing means more than passing out pink slips. Steps must be taken to ensure that the remaining staff feels comfortable so that performance levels do not drop. It is also important to keep the loyalty of former employees simply because they now have become potential customers.
Remaining employees may show signs of inadequacy. They are faced with new responsibilities and positions. They may feel as though they are next to be fired if they do not perform well. Some employees may feel that being fired is inevitable so why even try. Some employees, however, may take this opportunity to step up and show their real skills. AT&T may face lost revenues or increased costs due to its downsizing. The performance problem that affects this is whether or not the survivors can handle their new responsibilities. The survivors left behind after downsizing might not be able to carry the workload left behind. Where there were three people doing a particular job, it is now left to one person to accomplish. It is possible then for the workload to fall behind, therefore costing the company more money. Training one person to do the job of three will take time out of the...