Although companies may have excess employees at the moment, the tight labor market is a new reality, which is making them think twice about how they are approaching the layoffs. Out of necessity, mean and lean have become kinder and friendlier. These companies know they may need to hire again soon and they also can't afford to alienate their remaining employees, whose productivity will be more important than ever. Lately, I have received numerous telephone calls, letters and e-mails from companies facing layoffs that want assistance developing strategies that will help them to rebound once the economy bounces back. Companies that take a proactive, honest approach and educate employees about what is happening in the industry will take some of the shock out of the layoff news to employees.
Every employee hates surprises.
Break the news early and give employees a chance to get their financial house in order and their job searches underway. Help managers with training on how to lay off an employee with sensitivity and dignity. Strive to make the cuts all at once. Don't be fooled into thinking that making three cuts over a period of a year will be easier on employees than a big layoff all at once. Survivors, who thought they had been spared the ax only to be surprised a few months later, will turn ugly and the rest of the employees will start bailing like rats from a sinking ship.