Saying Farewell with Heart

Those dreaded words: “your job has been eliminated” strike fear in many hearts. Those making the decisions spend sleepless nights wanting to avoid the conversation. Then when the day comes and the parties are assembled, it takes courage and heart to get through to the final thank you. Unfortunately, layoffs occur across the country all the time presenting both employees and employers with anxiety.

I have been on both the management and employee side of the table dealing with the news of being released from a job. I have led layoff efforts and made the difficult recommendations on selecting employees to release. I have seen the toll a poor termination process can take on someone’s physical and mental health.

But there is hope out there. With some thoughtful planning and a lot of heart, there are ways to limit this damage, mitigate risk and even help each side move forward with dignity.

Here are a few strategies for keeping people whole even as they regroup for what is next in their careers.

• Fully understand legal and regulatory requirements and incorporate that knowledge into your layoff plan. Creating a written plan will go a long way toward preparing for smooth, dignified, and respectful outcomes.

• Build solid communication tools for leaders to use in sharing the news. That includes solid scripts and opportunities to practice reading the scripts out loud to someone.

• Support those who will deliver the news by allowing time for the shock and grief to be absorbed.

• Establish outside resources available to employees—both those exiting and the survivors. This could be your employee assistance program, state job service, or outplacement services you are providing.

• Encourage people to be, well, people with the need to process what the transition will mean for them and their family.

• If you suspect a risk for violence, consider what security resources or techniques could be used to keep everyone safe.

Copyright (c) 2023. Original creation unaided by AI.