Close the office? Send a text? Organizations that need to shed employees are trying to balance efficiency with dignity.
Organizations are starting to shed employees after a hiring binge in 2021 and an economic slowdown in 2022.
Organisations are using a variety of ways to tell employees that their services are no longer needed, including virtual layoffs, emails, text messages, phone calls, and in-person meetings. There is no consensus as to how to best lay people off in 2023.
Face-to-face approach is no longer practical for organizations that now have so many people working remotely. Through February, US firms have laid off or otherwise discharged about 3.2 million people.
Companies are trying to conduct these restructurings in a way that minimizes embarrassing mistakes or angry confrontations and also provides affected workers with resources to find a new job. Compassion and communications are critical in the layoff process.
Clearing the entire office has emerged as the latest strategy for delivering layoff news. Companies carrying out layoffs virtually can risk appearing cold and inhuman.
Companies should take several critical actions to deliver the layoff message effectively and offer outplacement support.
There is no one-size-fits-all method for laying off employees with dignity. However, some experts suggest companies should consider various factors, such as company size, remote work culture, and the emotional impact on employees.
Some effective methods include virtual layoff announcements, providing outplacement support, offering clear communication, anticipating follow-up questions, and training managers on how to convey the news empathetically.
It’s also crucial to ensure affected employees have resources to find new jobs. Ultimately, compassion and empathy must be prioritized to minimize the impact on employees and a company’s reputation.
Breaking the news of layoffs is never easy, but it’s important to do it with compassion and dignity. As companies adapt to the changing work landscape, so must their approach to letting people go. What methods do you think are most effective for conducting layoffs?
