‘It’s as if I’m Worth Nothing’—Cost-Driven Restructuring and the Dignity of Long-Term Workers in Finland’s State-Owned Postal Service Company

Abstract Organisational restructuring involving cost-cutting, downsizing, and the acquisition divestment of different functions is an increasingly normalised aspect employment in both private public sectors. This article takes up question effects on workers through a study based in-depth, semi-structured interviews long-term Finland’s state-owned postal service, using concept dignity as analytical lens. The distinguishes between everyday, organisational, social dignity, this distinction to capture how strove sustain process organisational that generated threats related occupational devaluation. shows work has been dependent particular historical configuration service employer organisation, relations, values. Cost-driven destabilised configuration, producing stark separation everyday indignities workers’ experiences. Feeling unable affect changes their work, have left relationality, by drawing intra-organisational boundaries temporary upper managers hierarchy commitment competence. highlights significance support for at particularly relation prolonged processes restructuring.