Several comments came in from a post last week about the recent contractions within the workforce never returning to normal. The recession has had an impact on nearly every industry. Headlines about layoffs and downsizing have consumed the front pages of newspapers for well over a year. The acronym RIF (Reduction in Force) is used daily among HR professionals as where this term was unheard of just a few years back.
Well, not to be a pessimist (I do not have that in me)…..but I think we need to succumb to the fact that these RIFs will ultimately be looked back on as RIS (Reduction in Structure). The fact of the matter is most companies are just learning how to do more with less. New efficiencies are being found and departments are being streamlined. I don’t see companies rehiring when the economy turns around and business is booming again. It just won’t happen.
In the end, I think we are now experiencing the new ‘norm.’ We just need to get used to it.
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