Alexus HarrisENGL 1102Prof. Dale4/25/2014Downsizing Working AmericaLayoffs are widely considered negative life events associated with depression, economic decline, and many other health problems. Many studies have shown that there is a direct link between physical and mental illnesses among former workers and layoffs. Even though there has been evidence of these effects and layoffs, the fact remains that there is no way to avoid layoffs of workers. This problem affects hundreds of people each year in the United States, although no progress has yet been made in preventing this problem. Many psychologists believe that dismissing workers can have serious consequences, such as mental and physical disorders of employees. However, other researchers say that firing workers has never been proven to cause depression or any other mental or physical problems. There is also another argument that there is no way to avoid dismissal; that it's just the way our system is set up. I believe that even if layoffs cannot be avoided, there might be better ways to let a worker go. I think our system needs to be improved so that we can function properly. Although some researchers say that layoffs do not have serious effects, they cannot avoid the changes that occur in a person after a layoff. Trying to avoid layoffs is virtually impossible and I'm not saying it's the solution to our problems. However, the aim is to reduce the damage caused by layoffs. But I think trying to soften the blow to make it less detrimental to a person and their well-being would be beneficial for everyone. Downsizing has become an acc...... middle of paper... ...are among his collaborators. Based on ample evidence that mass layoffs most often only generate short-term gains and can cause long-term damage, it is worth emphasizing the need to be careful when considering downsizing . While it is obvious that layoffs are almost impossible to avoid, it has been stated that there are ways to avoid mass layoffs and the detrimental effects they can have on a worker's well-being and of his family. Layoffs have been proven to affect an employee's mental stability and lead to many health problems. It has also been proven that there is a way for companies to reduce the number of workers they lay off or furlough by benefiting the workers a little more and the company a little less. While these efforts will not end layoffs and the harmful effects they can have, they may help “soften the blow” or be less devastating..