|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
Surviving an Economic Downturn: How to Handle Layoffs Effectively
| Guest post by: Cissy Pau |
Article Overview: Sometimes layoffs are the only alternative to ensure your company remains competitive during an economic downturn. When that is the case, it is critical that the layoffs be done in a sensitive and respectful way that also minimizes the impact on your employer brand. In this article, we look at some of the key areas necessary to conduct layoffs effectively.
 |
Free Download - Surviving an Economic Downturn: How to Handle Layoffs Effectively By Cissy Pau |
Surviving an Economic Downturn: How to Handle Layoffs Effectively
Layoffs should be a last resort to handle an economic downturn. If, after considering all your alternatives, you determine that layoffs are necessary, then it's important to do handle layoffs effectively. Employees understand that during tough economic times that difficult choices have to be made. It's therefore important to handle layoffs well to maintain a positive reputation for your company.
When working with clients who are undergoing layoffs, some critical areas on which we focus with them include:
1. Developing communication strategies for all employees
- Effective communication strategies can include written announcements, staff meetings, and all employee information sessions.
- When done well, companies are able to effectively communicate the reasons for the layoffs while ensuring morale and productivity are not adversely affected.
2. Preparing termination packages
- It's very important to ensure that the notice periods and severance amounts for each employee are properly determined, taking legal obligations into account to minimize costly disputes or litigation.
- When deciding on termination dates for employees, important dates such as birthday and employment anniversaries should be avoided. Also, it is not recommended to conduct layoffs on a Friday, or prior to a major holiday, to mitigate the emotional impact on the affected employee.
3. Creating Frequently Asked Questions documents
- Employees, both those who are being laid off and those who remain, often have a lots of questions about how they will be affected.
- Having an FAQ document created in advance of the announcement which includes anticipated questions can alleviate anxiety among the staff. It demonstrates that the business decision is well thought out and that the employees' concerns have been considered.
4. Coordinating meetings with impacted employees
- It's important to have a consistent message and script to follow during the individual employee meetings, particularly for
inexperienced managers who may be unsure how to conduct a layoff meeting.
- It's recommended that one-on-one meetings be held with each affected employee, in a private location, away from the prying eyes of other staff.
5. Arranging for outplacement, counselling and job search services
- Having an experienced outplacement counsellor on site when conducting layoff meetings can be very helpful for managing the
various emotional reactions that employees will have.
- Providing job search workshops can be a very cost effective mechanism to demonstrate a caring attitude, while also helping
employees to find alternative employment.
6. Preparing transition plans
- Creating effective transition plans are essential to ensuring that employees and the business are reorganized post-layoff to produce the desired results.
These uncertain economic times are forcing small- and medium-sized businesses to consider whether layoffs are appropriate to handle the downturn. Conducting layoffs should be a last resort, after considering or implementing other options to mitigate the need for this costly and disruptive exercise.
Using advisors, such as HR consultants, employment lawyers, and outplacement providers, who are very experienced in handling layoffs can help businesses to avoid many of the landmines and traps that come with the territory.
Quick Tips For Hiring In A Recession
Surviving an Economic Downturn: Creative Alternatives to Layoffs
Career Change in an Economic Downturn
Helping Staff Recover After A Layoff
End of Recession Integrated Business Planning
|
About the Author: Cissy Pau RSS for Cissy's articles - Visit Cissy's website Click here to visit Cissy's website   To Hire or Not to HireThat is the Question Your Hiring Road Map The Job Description Yes No Maybe SoHow to Screen Resumes In and Out Surviving the Economic Boom How to Keep Your Employees Communicating Success Shut Down the Gossip Factory and Get the Right Information to the Right People |
Related Forum Posts
Re: The Best Method for Online Marketing
- we must choose the most suitable one to use..
there are so many diffrent strategy here..
1. Start with a web promotion plan and an effective web design and development strategy.
2. Get ranked at the top in major search engines, and practice good Search Optimization Techniques.
3. Learn to use Email Marketing Effectively.
4. Dominate your marketing niche with affiliate, reseller, and associate programs.
5. Request an analysis from an Internet marketing coach or Internet marketing consultant.
6. Build a responsive opt-in email list.
7. Publish articles or get listed in news stories.
8. Write and publish online press releases.
9. Facilitate and run contests and giveaways via your web site.
10. Blog and interact with your visitors.
Re: Best Internet Marketing Strategy
- [quote="jennysmith14":2wxugq3d]Hello Friends..........
Best Internet Marketing Strategy are
# Start with a web promotion plan and an effective web design and development strategy.
# Get ranked at the top in major search engines, and practice good Search Optimization Techniques.
# Learn to use Email Marketing Effectively.
# Dominate your marketing niche with affiliate, reseller, and associate programs.
# Request an analysis from an Internet marketing coach or Internet marketing consultant.
# Build a responsive opt-in email list.[/quote:2wxugq3d]
Hi Jenny,
All good valid advice here to readers. The one thing I might add for clarification to readers is on point number 4 concerning "dominating" search results. I always like to clarify the importance of dominating for a variety of well researched keyword phrases that ideally target your ideal buying audience. Sometimes people misunderstand and think the objective is too dominate all top 10 spots for the same keyword. The reason this is not wise is that anyone successfully dominating all top 10 spots may actually be reported to Google Abuse because the purpose of a search engine is to display a variety of choices. Competitors can become quite upset with a company who is dominating all top 10 spots for the same phrase. I realize you know this already, but just thought I'd throw it in for anyone new to SEO. A better way to "dominate" is for a variety of very well researched phrases to pull in multiple audiences of readers. Great post Jenny.
Thanks
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
by: Kim Castle, Business Brand Creation
4 Building Blocks of an Effective Talent Management System
Simon Fuller Quotes
Lesson #3: “Tell ‘em quick and tell ‘em often”
Searching for the Stars: How Yang and Filo Took Their Business to New Heights
Salesperson Wimp-Out: I Need Help 
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Effective Email Marketing Requires Planning
Why Marketing Outsourcing is Growing So Quickly
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.