workforce reduction

[/ˈwɜrkfɔrs rɪˈdʌkʃən/]
nounpl: workforce reductions
redução de pessoal
1. The decrease in the number of employees working for a company or organization, typically due to economic downturn, restructuring, or strategic business decisions
The company announced a workforce reduction of 15% due to declining sales.
A empresa anunciou uma redução de pessoal de 15% devido às vendas em declínio.
2. The process or act of laying off, downsizing, or eliminating jobs within an organization
The workforce reduction was completed over six months with severance packages offered to affected employees.
A redução de pessoal foi concluída ao longo de seis meses com pacotes de rescisão oferecidos aos funcionários afetados.
Workforce reduction is a sensitive business topic in both Brazil and the USA. In Brazil, labor laws heavily protect employees, making reductions more complex legally and requiring more generous severance packages. In the USA, such reductions are more common during economic downturns and are often announced publicly as strategic business decisions. The term is typically used in formal corporate communications to soften the impact of job losses on employees and stakeholders.
NYC Slang
getting laid off, pink slip, RIF (Reduction in Force)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
downsizinglayoffstaff reductionjob cutsretrenchmentheadcount reduction
Antonyms / Antônimos
workforce expansionhiringrecruitmentemployment growth

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
redução de pessoal
Most common and formal term used in business contexts
General Brazilian
corte de pessoal
Slightly more informal, literally 'staff cut'
São Paulo
enxugamento de quadro
Business jargon commonly used in corporate settings
Portugal
redução de efetivos
Standard term in Portuguese corporate language

Related Words

retrenchmentrestructuringseverance packageredundancyfurloughattritionoutsourcing

Related Idioms & Phrases

belt-tightening
trimming the fat
cutting to the bone
right-sizing the organization
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