noun
- the practice of requiring an employer to hire more workers than necessary or to limit worker productivity, typically to preserve jobs or increase wages
Usage: labor/employment context; often considered unfair or inefficient by management
Examples
- The union was accused of featherbedding when it insisted that three workers be assigned to a job that one person could complete.
- Critics argue that featherbedding increases costs for companies without improving service quality.
- The airline reduced featherbedding by streamlining its staffing requirements.
- Labor unions have historically used featherbedding to protect workers' jobs during economic downturns.
- Management claimed the contract contained excessive featherbedding provisions that made the company uncompetitive.
- Featherbedding practices in the construction industry have been a source of ongoing debate between workers and employers.