Organisational restructuring remained the principal reason for job losses in the US, according to research by HR firm DBM.

The firm’s annual United States Career Transition Study revealed almost 30% more Americans lost their jobs in 2004 compared with 2001, because of downsizing.

Mergers, acquisitions, reorganisations and restructuring were common causes of the restructuring.

DBM’s president and chief executive Charles F Kalmbach said: “Because companies continue to reinvent themselves, whether by developing new business models or new lines of business, DBM expects 2004’s job less trends will continue.”