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rightsizing noun. Downsizing a company's workforce to the point where the number of employees remaining is deemed to be "right" for the company's current condition.

Example Citation:
"Downsizing became popular a few years ago to replace layoffs, but then people started thinking downsizing was too negative, he says. From that, 'rightsizing' was born."
—L. M. Sixel, "New terms, old ideas," The Houston Chronicle, May 8, 1995

Earliest Citation:
"'Downsizing' is the term commonly used to describe strategic corporate cutbacks. But Roy S. Roberts, vice president of personnel administration for General Motors Corp., prefers a different word. He terms the monstrous task of trimming GM's salaried staff by 25% 'rightsizing,' contending that it will make the automaker leaner, meaner, and more competitive."
—John H. Sheridan, "A matter of perspective," Industry Week, January 4, 1988

Related Words:
brightsizing
capsizing
cashier
decruitment
downaging
dumbsizing
flexicurity
revector
RIF
smartsizing
uninstalled
upstaff
worklessness

Subject Category:
Business - Layoffs and Firings

Posted on January 6, 1996 at 8:30 PM


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