Who will be fired first? - We explain the UN rules for layoffs

The Corona pandemic brings financial turmoil to the world, funding is lost, Trump is threatening to stop all funding to WHO and the United Nations must act quickly to match future revenue with future costs. But when the UN downsizes its personnel, they have their own rational. The importance of a specific function does not necessarily come first, neither the performance of the personnel. The UN’s downsizing structure is built on completely different parameters.


In this article, we go straight to the point and explain the priority order in which personnel will be separated from their duties with the UN in case the office is going through downsizing.

We have also reached out to an experienced HR officer and asked for advice in case you are affected by downsizing or at risk to be. We give tips on what you should do and how losing your staff contract affects your immediate benefits package?