downsize the workforce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "downsize the workforce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of discussing employment changes, particularly when a company is reducing the number of employees. Example: "Due to the economic downturn, the company has decided to downsize the workforce to cut costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The purpose of REGO is to cut waste and downsize the workforce, and to some extent these goals are being met.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yet, institutions like Tufts continue to downsize the maintenance workforce, while simultaneously expanding the space in need of cleaning as part of a national, university campus construction boom.

Huffington Post

The upsizing of bosses' pay and the downsizing of the workforce made many people angry.

The Economist

But layoffs of the magnitude the governor is considering are likely to spur a major counterattack from unions that represent state workers, who have in recent years agreed to concessions that would reduce long-term pension costs but sharply resisted calls by Mr. Cuomo's predecessor, David A. Paterson, to agree to downsizing the state workforce or other cost-saving measures.

The New York Times

However, due to the economic crisis and the government's policy of downsizing the public workforce, the compulsory working policy was ended in 1998.

BMC Medical Education

The federal fire effort also suffers from government downsizing and aging of the workforce.

The New York Times

It has become, accordingly, a ruthlessly spic-and-span euphemism for downsizing the domestic industrial workforce, for pricing labor according to its cheapest foreign equivalent.

The New Yorker

The workforce is shrinking.

The Economist

Roughly 25% of the workforce sat idle.

The Economist

The quality of the workforce is good.

The Economist

The workforce is a few reliable mules.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "downsize the workforce", consider the audience and context. In sensitive situations, opt for a more neutral term like "reduce staff" to mitigate negative connotations.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of euphemisms when discussing workforce reductions. While softening the blow is important, clarity and transparency are essential to maintain trust and avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "downsize the workforce" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action taken by an organization to reduce its number of employees. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, often used when discussing employment changes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "downsize the workforce" refers to the action of reducing the number of employees in an organization, often due to economic pressures or restructuring. While grammatically correct, it can carry negative connotations, making it crucial to consider the audience and context when using it. Ludwig confirms the phrase's usability and suggests alternatives like "reduce staff" or "make staff reductions" for a more neutral tone. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. It's important to avoid overusing euphemisms and to maintain clarity and transparency when discussing workforce reductions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the number of employees

This alternative is a direct and neutral way to describe the action of decreasing the staff count.

decrease the staff level

The change involves using 'staff level' to represent the number of personnel.

cut back on personnel

The difference consists of a more general expression of reducing the amount of employees.

trim the payroll

It implies reducing costs by decreasing the amount spent on employee salaries.

streamline the staff

This focuses on efficiency and optimization when reducing employee numbers.

rightsize the company

Implies adjusting the size of the company to better fit its current needs.

restructure the organization

The alternative suggests a broader reorganization that includes staff reductions.

make staff reductions

A formal way of announcing that the company will be reducing employee numbers.

reorganize the personnel

Implies a rearrangement of staff roles and responsibilities, potentially involving reductions.

rationalize the headcount

This involves making the workforce more efficient and cost-effective by reducing staff.

FAQs

How can I use "downsize the workforce" in a sentence?

You can use "downsize the workforce" to describe a company's decision to reduce the number of its employees, such as: "Due to economic challenges, the company had to "downsize the workforce" to remain competitive."

What are some alternative phrases for "downsize the workforce"?

Instead of "downsize the workforce", consider using alternatives like "reduce the number of employees", "decrease staff levels", or "make staff reductions" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "downsize the workforce" or "reduce staff"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "reduce staff" is often perceived as more neutral and less harsh than "downsize the workforce", which can have negative connotations associated with job losses.

What implications does "downsize the workforce" have for a company?

"Downsize the workforce" typically implies cost-cutting measures due to financial difficulties or strategic restructuring, which can impact employee morale and productivity but potentially improve long-term financial stability.