Health in restructuring

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Restructuring has become a common practice in both the private and public sectors within the EU, yet these processes often fail to achieve their goals of enhancing organizational profitability. Instead, they can jeopardize the physical and psychosocial health of employees. To mitigate the risks associated with restructuring, collaboration among various stakeholders—individuals, enterprises, and society—is essential. This collaboration aims to implement healthier change procedures and establish a “social convoy” for workers facing dismissal. The European Expert Group HIRES on Health in Restructuring, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Thomas Kieselbach from the University of Bremen and supported by DG Employment of the European Commission, produced a report outlining the impacts of enterprise restructuring and the necessary social frameworks for healthier transitions. The report, featuring policy recommendations and innovative case studies, targets policymakers, labor inspectorates, unions, managers, occupational health personnel, shareholders, and workers. The HIRES recommendations garnered significant attention across Europe, particularly as the economic crisis heightened awareness of the issues addressed. Following this success, the HIRES Plus project, led by Dr. Claude Emmanuel Triomphe and Prof. Dr. Thomas Kieselbach, organized workshops in 13 EU countries to raise awareness, discuss HIRES findings, and explore how to integrate heal