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Media and Crisis Management

15 Must-do’s For a Layoff

Posted on: July 28th, 2012

Crisis Management: 15 Must-do’s For a LayoffCrisis Communications

There is no end to plant closings and layoffs whether good economic times or bad.

How companies convey this awful news reflects their values. Every situation is unique, but here are communication guidelines that I hope you never need.

1. Avoid a “bolt from the blue.” Regularly brief employees on the condition of your business so that a cutback does not blindside them. A vice president I know did such a good job communicating that he got a standing ovation when he announced a plant closing. Employees wanted him to know they appreciated his efforts to keep them in the loop.

2. Scrupulously plan. Plot every step of a closing or layoff announcement like a complex military maneuver. The order of “battle” is crucial.

3. Tell supervisors first. Stunned personnel may not remember all you say and will later grill their supervisors for clarification. Let supervisors know what you know so they can repeat the important information. They can even participate in notification planning. You’ll need their support.

4. Communicate fast. Since word will rocket after the first notifications begin, tell employees quickly to minimize the period of uncertainty. Compress time.

5. Notify personally. Employees should hear it in person from a manager and not via outsiders, email, telephone, mail, or the media. This can be difficult with multiple shifts spread over several days and word spreading. Do your best so that employees know you tried hard to tell them early.

6. Tell it as though their mother has died. Plant closings and layoffs are life altering, so pass the word with the same sensitivity of conveying news of a death.

7. Immediately give employees a senior official to yell at or cry with. I will never forget the face of an executive who let person after person ventilate to him after they were fired. He was a wreck, but felt it his duty to be available. Employees will tell the community how you treated them.

8. Provide all the transition benefits you can afford. The only reasonably good news you can offer is how the company will help employees move on. Transition assistance is humane and gives you something constructive to say.

9. Put benefits in writing. Traumatized people may not remember all you said, so give them a written explanation of company actions on their behalf.

10. Prepare messages and Q&A’s. Draft key messages about the layoff or closing. They will be the outline for comments in person, meetings, news interviews, and news releases. Brainstorm worst-case questions that internal (including employees) and external audiences might ask and answer them. Involve the management team to avoid overlooking a thorny issue.

11. Notify stakeholders before telling the media. List all who should hear about the cuts directly from you and contact them. They will appreciate it and may provide essential support.

12. Tell everyone the same story. Give employees, customers, suppliers, government officials, analysts and the news media – all audiences – essentially the same information. Inconsistencies hurt credibility.

13. Make promises you can keep. Survivors of mass layoffs will want to know about future cuts. If no layoffs are planned, say so, but stress that the future cannot be foreseen or guaranteed.

14. Expect the unexpected. Closings and layoffs, like all crises, are full of uncertainty. You are dealing with human beings and a fast-moving grapevine. Adapt! Do your best so that your actions will be perceived as honorable and well-meaning.

15. Take care of the survivors. Treat them with the same respect, courtesy, and speed of notification as those who are fired. Don’t leave them hanging, wondering about their status or your appreciation of them. After all, you will need them to keep the business running.

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