But several consultants say that new work-force reductions are indeed pending.

But charges for work-force reductions and accounting changes made year-to-year comparisons difficult.

Many companies care about their employees, but managing a work-force reduction is rarely as simple as paying enough.

That is expected to produce a loss for the quarter, although the company expects to save $500 million a year from the work-force reduction.

About another 2,000 workers will be leaving on June 3, bringing the work-force reduction to near 6,800.

The company, which is based in Philadelphia, said the work-force reductions would account for about $100 million of the charges.

The Comptroller's office has experienced a work-force reduction of more than 15 percent, from just over 1,000 in 1990 to 838.

About $150 million of the fourth-quarter charge relates to work-force reductions.

No work-force reductions are expected as a result.

Kodak announced its third work-force reduction in five years, citing plans to focus more closely on photography.