Discuss the limitations of downsizing on human resource planning.Provide two examples of alternative HR strategies to downsizing.

Downsizing can be a costly strategy for organizations to pursue, and, as a result, it is desirable to investigate whether alternatives to downsizing exist. In a number of instances, organizations discover that pursuing different alternatives to downsizing may eliminate the need to reduce the workforce or allow for a less severe downsizing strategy.
Different approaches are summarized in HR Planning Notebook 10.2.
Several alternatives are available to organizations faced with the challenge of cutting costs. These include:
Moderate-Term Cost Adjustments
∙ Extending reductions in salary
∙ Voluntary sabbaticals
∙ Lending employees
∙ Exit incentives
Short-Term Cost Adjustments
∙ Hiring freeze
∙ Mandatory vacation
∙ Reducing the workweek
∙ Reducing overtime
∙ Reducing salaries
∙ Short-term facility shutdowns
∙ Obtaining cost-reduction ideas from employees