With recent economic downturn, downsizing staff can be an unavoidable experience. This can be heartbreaking for both employer and employee. There are a few steps employers can take so employees have a smoother transition to life after losing their job.
- Consider the time it will take for the employees to start receiving government assistance.
- When possible, try to avoid making redundancies around festive season.
- Carefully script the announcement and deliver the news quickly and succinctly.
- Give employees an opportunity to discuss the situation after the initial panic has gone.
- Discuss the exit process.
- Do not give them a false sense of hope in reclaiming their job.
- Engage a Career Outplacement Consultant to assist them. The consultant can advise them on how to tell their family, creating a new resume, and general counseling.
Making employees redundant and communicating it to them is never an easy task. By putting in place proper procedures, employers can reduce the consequences of the negative situation and help to turn the situation into a positive opportunity.
How to Deal with Redundancies