3 Ways to Deal with Layoffs

I remember the call like it was yesterday. It was my boss, the president of the company, on the other end of the line. He said we had to get on a conference call with HR. I asked if I was getting a bonus. He said that I was being let go.

It was the during the dot.com crash, and I was one of the victims. At the time I thought my life was over. Looking back, I realize it was just beginning. If you have read my books and benefit from this newsletter it’s because I was laid off.
 
I’m not saying there is anything positive about layoffs. It’s a bad situation for everyone. But from my own experience and my work with many leaders and organizations, I know we can deal with layoffs in a more positive way.

Unfortunately layoffs are happening more frequently now but here are several ways to deal with them.

1. If You Are a Leader or Manager 
It’s important for you to know that layoffs are not just about the people you are letting go but all the people who you are keeping.

Everyone is watching you to see how you deal with the people being laid off. Are you compassionate? Are you trustworthy? Are you transparent? Employees are asking themselves if they can trust you.

If your actions tell them that they can’t, then your layoffs will cause morale, productivity and performance to plummet. If you create a crisis of confidence and trust with the employees you are keeping, this will have a disastrous affect on the future of your organization and team. So what is the right way to deal with layoffs?

• Communicate, Communicate, Communicate. Now is not a time to be in your office. Be out with your people and provide them with as much information as you can give them. Host meetings, conference calls, etc.

• Be Transparent. Explain the situation. Explain the finances. Let people know where the organization stands. Share your rationale for why you have to lay people off. When people understand the situation, they are more likely to accept it.

• Be Honest. Let your employees know where they stand. People would rather know than not know. They would rather have certainty—even if it’s bad news—than uncertainty. Give them the truth.

• Be Compassionate. Don’t treat the people you are laying off like a number. Treat them right and the people you keep will treat you right. Offer support, guidance, coaching, encouragement and hope.

• Be Swift. Don’t torture your people with multiple rounds of layoffs. Do them once.

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Look to Time Out in Tough Times, a collection of two-minute quiet times to help you manage stressful situations like a recent layoff or pressures at work.

Find more stories about job loss.