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[anon_expat]

Is a swiftly-called departmental meeting regarding 'restructuring' ever going to bear good news?

I suppose this is where the lack of a 'tenure' system has its drawbacks...

[sandgrounder]

It might not be a worst case scenario although the word restructuring always sends shivers down your spine. I've seen / encountered restructuring as a) the vice-chancellor's meglomaniac plan to streamline everyone into larger units to enable the sacking of admin support b) dealing with some sort of catastrophic meltdown of a particular subject particularly when working relationships have become so toxic that it's dysfunctional and c) the good news one when it's decided your subject is in favour and needs a better position than it's in currently.  But my sympathy anyway as even if it's good news, the upheaval is never fun.

[snape]

I've been through two restructurings in past few years. It is always an opportunity for somebody. Try to see how that somebody is you.
 

[qrypt]

Is a swiftly-called departmental meeting regarding 'restructuring' ever going to bear good news?

I suppose this is where the lack of a 'tenure' system has its drawbacks...

Has your department been "under review"?  If not, then a restructuring might not be as much of a threat -- it might only be a reorganization without people being sacked. 

[science_expat]

Given the state of HE at the moment, my best guess is that "restructuring" = "job losses".

Sorry and good luck!

[babbinacara]

I've been through two restructurings in past few years.

(Am I you? This sounds eerily familiar.)

Yes, restructuring probably means job losses somewhere, academic or administrative or both. That can mean either more or less work for your future, depending on how that plays out.

[systeme_d_]

At my last place, "restructuring" = losing your office, sharing your administrative assistant, losing your department's independence, losing your chair.

It also meant they lost me.

[anon_expat]

Indeed there will likely be 'redundancies' (awful word, that). Though I might be safe at the moment, it is a morale-killer in the reminder that anyone could be next depending on which areas of research become more or less trendy.

[yikes_uk]

Seems like the hot new trend.

My place is looking to eliminate (redundant seems like an odd way to put it) nearly 1/3 of staff. Does wonders for morale!