5 Do's and Don'ts for Dealing with Layoff Survivors An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching. Mohandas Gandhi

An inspiration and adopted from Management Article

The economy is in crisis, and corporate World is bleeding jobs. Record job losses in 2008 -- the largest since 1945 -- might even worsen in 2009, with one out of every four companies planning layoffs. But what about our layoff survivors? Sure, they're the "lucky" ones who didn't get fired, but they have legitimate worries and woes, too -- from surviving the next round of cuts to suffering a lean and mean work environment.

5 Do’s

Do’s 1. Treating people like children and sugarcoating the realities.

Do’s 2. Downplaying the economy and giving false reassurances.

Do‘s 3. Acting as if it's all "just business" -- and "not personal“.

Do‘s 4. Trying to manage others' emotional responses

Do‘s 5. Discouraging people from voicing their feelings

Don’ts 1.Avoid tiptoeing around tough issues and tell it like it is to workers. Remember, they're grown-ups who can handle the truth.

5 Don’ts

Don’ts 2. Instead of minimizing the economic crisis, disclose its full impact on the business. Provide key details and honest interpretations.

Don’ts 3.Don't! Everything is personal, especially employees' real anxieties and fears about paying the mortgage and putting food on the table.

Don’ts 4. Resist telling people how to feel ("Come on, you're OK") or what to do ("Buck up!"). Truth is, that's their call -- not yours.

Don’ts 5. Encourage people to express themselves publicly, from hosting special brown-bag lunches to inviting questions at regular staff meetings. As much as possible, do things face to face -- and don't hide behind e-mail.

5 Do's and Don'ts for Dealing with Layoff Survivors A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead Thank you, [email_address]