Restructuring seriously damages well-being of workers: The case of the restructuring programme in local administration in Greece

Abstract

Organisational restructuring has become an important characteristic of the modern working environment, both for private and public organisations. This study examines the impact of “Kallikratis”, a major restructuring programme of local administration in Greece, on employee well-being. Using an adapted version of the “PSYRES” questionnaire in a representative sample of 1600 employees in 13 municipalities, the study investigated the effect of restructuring, job insecurity and psychosocial factors on wellbeing. The main issues identified were the “rushed” and “abrupt” implementation of the restructuring process, as well as lack of sufficient information and training.Moreover restructuring resulted in higher levels of (reported) work intensification and stress. Increased work-related stress was found to be related to increased emotional and quantitative job demands, as well as to job insecurity. Moreover, higher levels of emotional exhaustion were found to be related to increased job demands, job insecurity and unfair treatment during change.Employees in certain departments and under permanent contract were found to be more negatively affected by restructuring. Permanent employees reported higher levels of work-related stress and emotional exhaustion. Employees working in urban planning services and waste collection services reported increased workload and significantly higher levels of stress.Restructuring has been expanding both in the private and public sector in Greece and further studies should be carried out to investigate its effects on the well-being of workers.