Whether you’re downsizing, restructuring, or simply letting a single employee go, no employer looks forward to the aftermath of layoffs. A reduction in personnel can have negative effects on your remaining workforce, leading them to feel concerned for their own job, and can hurt their morale, job satisfaction and overall performance. Therefore, it is essential that you plan ahead and adopt strategies to mitigate these feelings before your layoffs ever happen.
The way you manage the layoff process is incredibly important. To maintain positive morale, consider the following:
- First of all, treat those who have been laid off with sensitivity and respect. If people are treated poorly during this process, you can bet that it will get back to your remaining employees later on.
- Decide on a clear message or justification for the layoff. Be consistent in your reasoning and emphasize that the decision was not made lightly. All managers should deliver the same message across the board.
- After layoffs are complete, meet with the employees you have retained to inform them of personnel changes as soon as possible.
- Communicate openly about the future of your organization and the jobs of your remaining employees. Ensure everyone from upper management to entry level employees are on the same page to dispel rumors and avoid panic.
- Let employees know that they can come to their managers or supervisors with questions or concerns following the layoffs. Offer to meet one on one with any employees to listen to their thoughts and concerns.
- Show appreciation for your employees. Recognize the contributions of your employees during the transition period after layoffs, in which they may experience reduced staff and an increased workload.
- Provide training where necessary to help you staff adjust to new job demands that they may face following layoffs.
- Be prepared for turnover. After layoffs occur, some employees may choose to depart voluntarily. By planning ahead on how layoffs will be managed, you can reduce the likelihood of voluntary departures or at the very least be prepared for them should they happen.
During this tough time, remember to promote communication with your remaining employees and focus on your organization’s plans for the future. Re-motivating your employees is key to maintaining positive morale and minimizing the impact of any layoffs. Ask employees to help identify areas where your organization can improve, and update employees regularly on your progress towards your goals. Keep in mind that no layoff process will happen without some sort of impact on your workforce; however by considering some of the above factors ahead of time, you can mitigate the negative effects.