How to Improve Employee Morale After Layoffs
Layoffs are never easy in any situation for any company. When a company is going through layoffs, it creates feelings of fear, anxiety and apprehension among the remaining employees. One of the most difficult things to do as a manager is pick up the pieces after friends and co-workers are laid off, and get back to business as usual. There are several things that you can do as a manager to help improve morale after layoffs.
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Instructions
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Encourage open communication between employees and management by having each department meet without the executive team being present. Once the employees have discussed their concerns with their managers, they may feel more confident about speaking to executives. After the departmental meetings, it would be time to schedule meetings between employees and executives.
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Maintain an open door policy between employees and all members of the management and executive team. Do not punish employees for expressing their opinions, and encourage employees to express their concerns.
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Explain the company's financial situation, the circumstances that led to the layoffs and the path the company is taking to prevent future layoffs. Allow each employee to see what he can do to make a difference and help prevent future layoffs.
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Institute reward programs for employees who perform exceptionally in their departments. These can be simple rewards such as gift cards for local department stores, but they should be accompanied by company-wide recognition for a job well-done. The employees need to feel that getting back to work is going to solve the company's problems, and one way to do that is remind everyone that there are employees performing above and beyond their job duties.
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Update employees each month on the progress of the company. Point out the positive results and show any growth that has occurred.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are able to promote people within the company following a layoff, that can be a good way to show the remaining employees that you are dedicated to them and the success of the company.
