This document summarizes a webinar for APWA chapter leaders on dealing with "survivors' guilt" when public works departments undergo downsizing. It introduces five presenters who will discuss their experiences and takes questions. The presenters are from various APWA chapters and public works organizations. It also outlines three key considerations for managing employees' emotions during a transitional period of layoffs: acknowledging what is happening, increasing communication, and allowing employees to discuss their feelings.

1. APWA CHAPTER
LEADERS WEBINAR
ON
“SURVIVORS’
GUILT”

2. Introduction:
Chas Jordan, Florida Chapter
Moderator and Member of Diversity
Committee

3. Role of Diversity Committee
Advance diversity in APWA
Place value on all individuals
Promote inclusiveness

4. Variety
Mixture
Array
“Diversity” means:
“Inclusiveness” means:
Richness
Completeness
Unity

5. Presenters:
Maher Hazine, Deputy Public Works Director, City
of Peoria, AZ, Arizona Chapter
Scott Solverson, Vice President, AECOM,
Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin Chapter
Rammankutty Kannankutty (Kutty), Area Engineer,
Minnesota Department of Transportation, New
Brighton, MN, Minnesota Chapter
Mabel Tinjaca, APWA, Director of Professional
Development, Kansas City, MO
Benny Wolfe, Director of Public Works (Retired),
City of Gulfport, MS, Mississippi Chapter

6. Presenters:
Maher Hazine,
Deputy Public Works Director,
City of Peoria, AZ, Arizona Chapter

7. Presenters:
Scott Solverson,
Vice President, AECOM,
Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin Chapter

8. Presenters:
Rammankutty Kannankutty (Kutty),
Area Engineer,
Minnesota Department of
Transportation,
New Brighton, MN, Minnesota Chapter

9. Presenters:
Mabel Tinjaca,
Director of Professional Development,
APWA,
Kansas City, MO

10. Three Considerations
1) Those employees that survive downsizing feel guilty and
grieve:
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
1) Leadership should acknowledge what is happening. Plan
to increase communication.
2) Employees need to learn how to discuss what’s
happening

11. Questions:
How do you keep production up when staff are
concerned about downsizing?
How do you get the workforce through the
transitional period when fewer staff are taking
on additional work?
How do you keep moral from sinking?
How do you offer suggestions and
encouragement to staff who feel guilt over their
colleagues losing their jobs and they didn’t?
Other?

12. Presenters:
Benny Wolfe,
Director of Public Works (Retired),
City of Gulfport, MS, Mississippi Chapter

13. Benny Wolfe, Chair, APWA Diversity
Committee
Chapter PACE Award – Diversity
Criteria
Chapter Diversity Liaisons

14. www.apwa.net
Click on “About APWA”
Click on “Diversity Activities”
Diversity/Inclusiveness Resources