3 Ways to Deal with Layoffs
February 8th, 2009 Posted in Newsletter, No Complaining Rule
I remember the call like it was yesterday. It was my boss, the President of the company, on the other end of the line. He said we had to get on a conference call with HR. I asked if I was getting a bonus. 
He said that I was being let go. It was the during the Dot.com crash. I was one of the victims. At the time I thought my life was over. Looking back I realize it was just beginning. If you have read my books and benefit from this newsletter it’s because I was laid off.
Please know I’m not saying there is anything positive about layoffs. It’s a bad situation for everyone. But from my own experience and my work with many leaders and organizations I know we can deal with layoffs in a more positive way. Unfortunately layoffs are happening more frequently but here are several ways to deal with them.
1. If You Are A Leader Or Manager - It’s important for you to know that layoffs are not just about the people you are letting go but all the people who you are keeping. Everyone is watching you to see how you deal with the people being laid off. Are you compassionate? Are you trustworthy? Are you transparent? Employees are asking themselves if they can trust you. If your actions tell them that they can’t then your layoffs will cause morale, productivity and performance to plummet. If you create a crisis of confidence and trust with the employees you are keeping, this will have a disastrous affect on the future of your organization and team. So what is the right way to deal with layoffs?
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Communicate, Communicate, Communicate - Now is not a time to be in your office. Be out an about with your people and provide them with as much information as you can give them. Host meetings, conference calls, etc.
- Be Transparent - Explain the situation. Explain the finances. Let people know where the organization stands. Share your rationale for why you have to lay people off. When people understand they are more likely to accept.
- Be Honest - Let your employees know where they stand. People would rather know then not know. They would rather have certainty, even if it’s bad news, than uncertainty. Give them the truth, even if it’s bad news.
- Be Compassionate - Don’t treat the people you are laying off like a number. Treat them right and the people you keep will treat you right. Offer support, guidance, coaching, encouragement, and hope.
- Be Swift - Don’t torture your people with multiple rounds of layoffs. Do them once.
2. If You Are Not One Of The People Being Laid Off - Decide to implement The No Complaining Rule. There will be many people around you who simply want to complain about the situation. Don’t be one of them. Don’t allow the negativity of others to sabotage your mindset and performance. Become the driver of your bus and focus on making your bus great. Focus every day on doing the best you can do while tuning out the distractions and negativity around you. Make yourself indispensable by working hard, staying positive and contributing the success of your organization.
3. If You Are Someone Who Has Been Or Is Being Laid Off - Allow yourself to be angry, sad, bitter, upset, etc. for a few days. Then let it all go. Forgive the company. Forgive your employers. Release the bitterness. Know that you can’t create your future by focusing on the past. Use the challenge to find a new opportunity. Perhaps it will lead to a new and more rewarding job or more time with the family, or a move to different city. Ask yourself what you can learn from this experience. Pray for guidance and direction. I did this every morning after I was laid off and it led to the work I do now. Trust in a bigger plan for your life. The only one who can limit the possibilities of your future is you. Read these past newsletters:
** If you are the spouse or family member of someone who has been laid off, then simply encourage and love them. Tell them you believe in them. Give them strength. My wife did this for me and it made all the difference.
Share your comments on this article here.
Stay Positive,
-Jon
Listen to this weeks Positive Moment audio tip: Negative Voices or Positive Choices
6 Responses to “3 Ways to Deal with Layoffs”
By Jan Ostler-Walker on Feb 9, 2009
Great encouragement to others. Thanks, Jon
By Bob Kiesendahl on Feb 9, 2009
Timely & helpful email on layoffs. They are a harsh reality of what is currently happeing. Our company attempts to abide to the guidelines you outlined & it does make a difference.
Thanks!
By Patricia McCarty on Feb 9, 2009
I liked your note to the family members of the person who is laid off. Many times the laid off person is depressed and feels like a failure. It is important to have the unconditional love and support of others during this difficult time.
By mike cates on Feb 11, 2009
Hey the article is so just perfect! At Broadway we are always dearming and creating new programs some that are privatly funded and other’s that are funded through our 501c3 Non-profit Foundation that we have had for 30yr’s now and other’s funded by the State never counting on one thing to pay the Bill’s! Too particularly never relying on a State or Federal Funding alone because they control the program or could and decide when it should end! We have always tried to control our own DESTINY as best we can! Getting back to your e-mail: Be kind firm and look ahed never back! Remember I might have mentioned in the past to you that our Gym burned to the ground back in 2000 you have to look forward and do what you can to make it work! Dream and remember there is someone somewhere that wishes that they had your Bad Day! Gymnastically, Michael Cates!
By GeekMBa360 on Mar 3, 2009
I like what you said about “forgiveness” — for anyone who is laid off, there is going to be tremendous amount of anger, frustration, and sadness.
However, it will not help the laid-off workers to get a job. You have to forgive your employers for your own sake. That’s how one can move forward, instead of dwelling on the past.
Great post.
GeekMBA360