Abstract

Background: Experience of workplace downsizing (ie reduction in personnel) is common and may constitute a threat to public health in working populations. This study aimed to determine whether downsizing was associated with increased mortality among those remaining in the downsized workplaces.

Methods: Prospective population registration data containing detailed socioeconomic and demographic information on 85 833 Finnish employees aged 35–64 years at the beginning of 1994 or 1993 followed up for cause-specific mortality for 8 years. One-year changes in workplace staffing levels were obtained from Statistics Finland records on workplaces.

Results: There was no association between downsizing on any level (a 10–29%, 30–49% or 50–100% reduction in personnel) and increased all-cause mortality among those remaining in the downsized workplaces. No sex differences were observed in these effects among those who remained in the downsized workplaces, nor was a period of particular vulnerability immediately following the downsizing identified. Furthermore, no detrimental effects were observed for any particular cause of death studied.

Conclusions: The results provide evidence that downsizing is not a significant determinant of excess mortality among those remaining in the downsized workplaces.