Lay-offs should not be the first remedy for economic problems. There are alternatives existing which are more socially acceptable and which also secure the economic future of an organization. However, this requires careful planning and initiative from all sides. Such alternatives can be found in the planning of processes and products as well as in a reasonable and professional personnel planning. In the end, undertaking these efforts always brings out benefits and this does not hold only for global players.

Measures in production planning to secure employment:

• Process and product innovation
• New or more in-house production
• Division of rationalization efforts

 Measures in qualitative and quantitative personnel planning

• Changes in work organisation
• Changes in working time schemes
• Introduction of short-time work
• Using professional qualification measures