The effects of workplace downsizing on cause-specific mortality: a register-based follow-up study of Finnish men and women remaining in employment.
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.
Martikainen
P
P
Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, PO Box 4 (Fabianinkatu 24), FIN-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland. pekka.martikainen@helsinki.fi
Mäki
N
N
Jäntti
M
M
D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D020415:Personnel Downsizing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data