Your sales and profitability are not pursuant to your objectives and projections and the expenses are beyond the current needs. You have tried company-wide cost cutting, conduct discussions and revised plans but the overheads continue to escalate. Towards the end, you are left with no other option than layoffs. There is not any simple trick to lay off workforce – whether it is one person or the entire department but there are better ways to do it. The article discusses how companies can handle layoffs with practices that afford dignity and make survivors feel positive about the company and their future.
Do Your Homework Before Announcing Layoffs
Layoffs could be a lifesaver for organizations when used sparingly and with well-thought-out planning but the frequent downsizing without a thoughtful stratagem can deteriorate the company’s effectiveness. You may lose the most talented workers if you are unacquainted with the performance and productivity of each of your worker. Make sure your finalized list names those who do not make the cut. So you do not need to use layoffs repeatedly for cutting cost and streamlining operations.
Don’t Announce Layoff Until All Affected Employees Have Been Notified
It won’t be a good idea to announce the employee downsizing in advance. If you announce that a layoff is coming everyone would be fearful that if they are affected. It would spark the workplace gossips and negatively influence the productivity of the entire staff. Once you decide which positions are to be downsized, first notify the employees who are losing their job. After each of the affected employees is informed, let the rest know about it.
Administer Downsizing As Soon As It Makes Sense
Once you choose the positions to be downsized, figure out what to say to the employees who are losing their jobs and who are keeping theirs. Though it is not that simple it is the part of small-scale business owner’s obligations. Notify the workers and administer downsizing as soon as it makes sense to do so.
Downsize with Respect
How you treat the worker you are terminating also matters to those who are staying. So treat your workers with respect. When managers do not treat the laid-off workers with respect the remaining employees may feel they are not valued as well and could be pushed out the door anytime. Provide the managers with answers to soothe the laid off and emotional employees. Also, let them talk to the executives if appropriate.
Empathize With Who Are Losing Jobs
Losing a job could be a major loss especially when you have a family to support. Put yourself in your employees’ shoes and imagine how it could feel hearing such bad news. Be as empathetic and express sympathy as possible and make sure to keep your tone in accordance with the seriousness of the situation.
Provide Rational Support to Terminated Employees
Around 50 percent of the millennial workers are underemployed. They are not being paid enough or are forced to do work that does not match their skills and capabilities. In this scenario, it could be hard for your terminated employees to find another reasonable employment. Offer support to the employees you are forced to lay off. If any of your contacts has job openings at their companies, see if the position is appropriate for any of your leaving worker. Being a reference or writing them a letter of recommendation can provide them great support.
Remember the Survivors
The downsizing can have a greater impact on the survivors. It is natural for them to be unpleased on losing their fellows. Do not treat them poorly if they are not responding as they used to before downsizing. Make them know why you had to terminate the other workers and why they are still on board. Let them know that they are talented and the company needs them to get out of this loss. Ask for their opinions and suggestions and involve them in the decision-making process.
Hope you would have found this piece of writing helpful in learning the most valued practices for layoffs. Use these guidelines to lay off workforce while holding the devotion of the people who continue to serve your business.
