Enterprise restructuring and the health of employees: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the influence of enterprise restructuring on general health and emotional exhaustion, and to investigate which factors explain the relation between restructuring and these outcomes.

METHODS

Longitudinal data of the Netherlands Working Conditions Cohort Study were used. At baseline and after 12 months, 9076 employees filled out a questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was applied.

RESULTS

Prolonged exposure to restructuring increased the likelihood of poor general health, and its influence was partly explained by job insecurity. Emotional exhaustion was more likely among employees that experienced prolonged exposure to restructuring or restructuring during the past year. Job insecurity explained the influence of prolonged restructuring, together with job demands and supervisor's support.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged exposure to restructuring adversely affects general health and emotional exhaustion in employees, and its influence seems to be explained by job insecurity.