Managers face hurdles with layoffs outside United States

It's not easy for employees or employers when it comes time for downsizing and layoffs, but CIO.com reports that businesses can face far more complex problems and legal issues outside the United States then they do at home. Donald C. Dowling, Jr. an international employment lawyer at White & Case, writes that U.S. employers in IT or other industries can make large-scale staff reductions as long as they don't discriminate or retaliate against employees.

That's good for employers, and not very reassuring for the labor force. He notes that companies outside the U.S.--particularly in Europe and India where many hi-tech firms operate--make employers jump through many more hoops. He writes, in CIO.com, that these nations follow what is known as "indefinite" employment. This practice often restricts or prohibits employee firing and gives options for recourse to workers who get laid off.

These days, U.S. workers are being shown the door at a rapid rate in IT and elsewhere in the economy. Many certainly wish they had some of the protections given to workers abroad.

For details on foreign layoff rules:
- see this CIO.com article [1]

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