The outsourcing impact; Find out how IT managers handle the employee aspects of outsourcing.

Byline: Linda Leung

The outsourcing impact

Find out how IT managers handle the employee aspects of outsourcing.

In October 2000, Michael 'Neill had just put a down payment on a house, and he and his wife were excitedly awaiting the birth of their baby. But one day at work as a LAN administrator for one of the country's largest insurance firms, he and 130 of his colleagues were told the company's LAN administrative and help desk functions were being handed over to an outsourcer.

"When it happened I was angry and confused. What-ifs ran through my mind," 'Neill says. "I was looking for security - I wanted a steady salary package."

'Neill had been with his employer for five years and thought he would work there until retirement. But the company, which asked not to be identified, decided to cut costs by outsourcing IT functions to …