Author Description

This book is an international study of the problem of reducing workforces in individual plants and whole industries. Countries discussed are the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and West Germany. Each chapter considers the legal position and consultative arrangements between employers and employed and analyzes measures taken by firms and governments to avoid and alleviate firings and layoffs. Going beyond the mere facts of the various cases, the contributors discuss alternatives to mass layoffs such as work-sharing, voluntary redundancy and early retirement. They also examine the nature and composition of those workers who are most affected and the types of compensation they are being offered. For each country discussed there is an assessment of the likely future trends concerning this disturbing and ever-increasing problem.