Caring for Yourself When Layoffs Occur

With the chaos on Wall Street, declining housing markets and global economic downturn, it’s not surprising that many employers are looking to reorganization and reductions in workforce to balance their budgets.

According to AWC’s State of the Cities 2009 survey, 22% of responding cities in our state are planning some decrease in workforce and 8% indicate a significant decrease and as budgets are finalized, many more may follow.

Nationally, as reported in the IPMA-HR Public Sector Economic Conditions Survey, more than half of the respondents indicate their agencies have already implemented hiring freezes and 25% will implement layoffs next year.

We have entered a confusing and stressful time when much attention is focused on the employees affected by the downsizing, but we must also recognize that layoffs are difficult and emotional for managers and HR professionals as well.

Here are some helpful tips for those charged with delivering the difficult news:

• Acknowledge to yourself that it is never easy to look someone in the eye and say “we must let you go.”
• Know what you’re going to say, have a script and stick to it. Deliver your message, pause, and keep words to a minimum.
• Remind yourself, the lay-offs are due to circumstances beyond your control.
• Create a compassionate process, providing outplacement services and access to Employer Assistance Programs (EAP).
• Have a plan in place that treats laid-off employees with dignity.
• Prepare yourself for the emotional toll.
• Decompress with peers and share coping skills.

Make sure you take care of yourself and consider seeking professional help if you experience these warning signs (more often than usual):

• You have trouble sleeping or you are sleeping too much.
• You dread going to work.
• You experience changes in appetite.
• You have prolonged or irrational guilt.
• You feel distracted, anxious or depressed.
• You begin to notice relationship problems at home or work.
• Others notice changes in your behavior or demeanor.

 
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