featherbedding
Noun: 1. An economic or labor practice: The practice, typically associated with labor unions, of requiring an employer to hire or retain more workers than are necessary for the efficient completion of a task. This is often done through contractual agreements or work rules to protect jobs, even when technological advances or changes in process could reduce the required workforce.
The term "featherbedding" is used almost exclusively in the context of labor relations, economics, and business management. It describes a specific, often contentious, practice and carries a critical or negative connotation, implying inefficiency, wastefulness, or resistance to progress. * It is used as a subject or object in a sentence. * It is an uncountable noun (you do not say "a featherbedding" or "featherbeddings").
- The new contract was criticized for its featherbedding clauses that mandated a minimum crew size on trains, regardless of automation.
- Management accused the union of featherbedding by insisting on keeping typesetters employed long after the newspaper switched to digital publishing.
- A major point of contention in the negotiations was the issue of featherbedding.
- Historical Context: The term originated in the railroad industry, where it was alleged that some unions required firemen (workers who shoveled coal) to be present on diesel-powered trains that no longer used coal-fired engines.
- Verb Form ("to featherbed"): While less common, the word can be used as a verb.
- Example: The union was accused of trying to featherbed the workforce to prevent any layoffs.
- Featherbed (verb): To engage in or subject to featherbedding practices.
- Make-work: (noun/adjective) A task or job that has little purpose or value, created solely to keep someone employed. This is a close synonym but is a broader term not exclusively tied to union contracts.
- Overmanning: (noun) The condition of having more workers on a job than are needed. Similar to featherbedding but can occur without formal union rules.
- Overstaffing
- Make-work (practice)
- Job protection (in a specific, often criticized form)
- Streamlining
- Efficiency
- Downsizing
- Rationalization
- "To pad the payroll": This informal phrase has a similar meaning, suggesting the addition of unnecessary employees. Featherbedding is a more formal and specific version of this concept.
- Example: The investigation revealed the manager was padding the payroll with unqualified relatives.
- the practice (usually by a labor union) of requiring an employer to hire more workers than are required