Downsizing
SETA survey of representatives in Tribunal cases 2008 t Research Paper
Downsizing envoys:
A public/private sector comparison
Ref: 11/12
2012
Dr Ian Ashman
Institute for Research into Organisation, Work and Employment
University of Central Lancashire
For any further information on this study, or other aspects of the Acas
Research and Evaluation programme, please telephone 020 7210 3673 or email research@acas.org.uk
Acas research publications can be found at www.acas.org.uk/researchpapers ISBN 978-1-908370-22-8
Downsizing envoys:
A public/private sector comparison
Dr Ian Ashman
Institute for Research into Organisation, Work and Employment
University of Central Lancashire
CONTENTS
FOREWORD
3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4
1.
INTRODUCTION
5
2.
METHODOLOGY
7
3.
FINDINGS
9
3.1
3.2.1
The similarities
Emotional demands
9
9
3.2.2
Relational ties
10
3.2.3
3.2.4
Role overload and coping
Trade union involvement
10
12
3.2
The differences
13
3.2.1
3.2.2
Politics
Internal politics
13
14
3.2.3
Downsizing rationale
15
3.2.4
3.2.5
Downsizing approach
Support
17
18
3.2.6
Preparation (the selection and training of envoys)
20
4.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
24
REFERENCES
26
FIGURES AND TABLES
Table 1 Summary of participating organisations by sector and respondents by role
2
7
FOREWORD
This report explores the experience of ‘downsizing envoys’ – the individuals at work charged with the responsibility of breaking the news to employees about their potential job loss. It focuses on experiences in the private sector and contains comparative evidence drawn from an earlier study which focussed on the same issue, but conducted in a sample of public sector workplaces (Ashman,
2012).
Redundancy handling carries a considerable burden of responsibility for managers and unions, and the envoys play a unique and
Downsizing envoys:
A public/private sector comparison
Ref: 11/12
2012
Dr Ian Ashman
Institute for Research into Organisation, Work and Employment
University of Central Lancashire
For any further information on this study, or other aspects of the Acas
Research and Evaluation programme, please telephone 020 7210 3673 or email research@acas.org.uk
Acas research publications can be found at www.acas.org.uk/researchpapers ISBN 978-1-908370-22-8
Downsizing envoys:
A public/private sector comparison
Dr Ian Ashman
Institute for Research into Organisation, Work and Employment
University of Central Lancashire
CONTENTS
FOREWORD
3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4
1.
INTRODUCTION
5
2.
METHODOLOGY
7
3.
FINDINGS
9
3.1
3.2.1
The similarities
Emotional demands
9
9
3.2.2
Relational ties
10
3.2.3
3.2.4
Role overload and coping
Trade union involvement
10
12
3.2
The differences
13
3.2.1
3.2.2
Politics
Internal politics
13
14
3.2.3
Downsizing rationale
15
3.2.4
3.2.5
Downsizing approach
Support
17
18
3.2.6
Preparation (the selection and training of envoys)
20
4.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
24
REFERENCES
26
FIGURES AND TABLES
Table 1 Summary of participating organisations by sector and respondents by role
2
7
FOREWORD
This report explores the experience of ‘downsizing envoys’ – the individuals at work charged with the responsibility of breaking the news to employees about their potential job loss. It focuses on experiences in the private sector and contains comparative evidence drawn from an earlier study which focussed on the same issue, but conducted in a sample of public sector workplaces (Ashman,
2012).
Redundancy handling carries a considerable burden of responsibility for managers and unions, and the envoys play a unique and
References: Arnold, J. & Randall, R. et al (2010) Work Psychology: Understanding Human Behaviour in the Workplace, 5th edition, London, FT/Prentice Hall. Ashman, I. (2012) ‘The nature of bad news infects the teller’: The experiences of envoys in the face to face delivery of downsizing initiatives in the UK public sector, Bach, S. (2011) A new era of public service employment relations? The challenges ahead, Acas workplace relations discussion paper Bhattacharyya, S. & Chatterjee, L. (2005) ‘Organizational Downsizing: From Concepts to Practices’, Vikalpa: The Journal of Decision Makers, 30(3), 65-78. Flint, D.H. (2003) ‘Downsizing in the public sector: Metro-Toronto’s hospitals’, Journal of Health Organization and Management, 17(6), 438-456. Redman, T. & Wilkinson, A. (2006) ‘Downsizing’ in T. Redman & A. Wilkinson (Eds) Contemporary Human Resource Management, Harlow, Pearson, 2nd