Some stories are always out there where businesses have restructured and reduced their workforces in a haphazard and uncaring manner. The worst is when a company sets up 2 meetings at 2 separate locations. The employees who were invited to one location were told that their jobs were safe, while the employees at the other location were told that their jobs were going to be terminated.
There is always a business rationale behind a company’s decision to downsize its workforce and these reasons are generally understood by employees. Laying off employees is not a regular activity and if the management are not skilled at undertaking the exercise, the results can be haphazard.
According to People Transform Success , a coach is often skilled at helping the management through these transitions that accomplish their business objectives, and at the same time fulfill ethical obligations, protect the business reputation and minimise the negative impact on business and productivity. Treating downsized employees professionally with compassion and treating remaining employees with sensitivity are important, so that morale, commitment, productivity and retention are not adversely affected in the long term.
A coach is able to assist the managers to prepare themselves and deliver the message around the restructure to the employees that support them to move ahead.