Press Releases

Managers Meet the Challenge of Layoffs and Worker Morale in a Recession

September 2, 2009
PRWEB
For Immediate Release

SAN FRANCISCO – (BUSINESS WIRE)  – Uncertain economic times mean that smart management techniques can make the difference between an organizational layoff that loses critical staff members and generates damaging lawsuits – and one that is able to quickly move ahead without serious damage to reputation and morale. And after a decade-long economic expansion, an entire new generation of management is faced with the difficult challenge of staff morale, discipline and re-distribution of workload during layoffs and a down economy.

Failure to Explain Layoff Rationale Raises Risks

Planning job cuts is a critical process that needs to proceed quickly while reinforcing the organization’s policies and avoiding legal liability. Employees faced with loss of their jobs inevitably ask why, and it’s imperative that employers have solid answers at hand. Failing to do so may provide disgruntled employees ammunition for a lawsuit – especially if they’re a member of protected classes such as race, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin or sexual orientation.

Companies who are asking their managers to navigate the difficult challenges of job cuts are increasingly getting them access to legal advice and providing them with targeted training. Employment law attorney Lynn Lieber of Workplace Answers, a Web-based Training Solutions firm, has seen clients with the same job cut issues again and again. “Many times they’re not preparing executives and supervisors to fully explain to employees the reasons for layoff actions,” says Lieber. “Their rationale for the cuts may be lacking, or they may be missing required federal or state documentation — and sometimes they even neglect to prepare severance details in advance such as final paychecks and COBRA benefit forms. These missteps create added resentment among affected workers, and invite lawsuits.”

"We’ve designed the our Training Solution to meet the needs of organizations with a single location and Fortune 100 companies with multiple locations, business units and subsidiaries," explains Lynn D. Lieber, Esq., CEO of Workplace Answers. "Our customers will benefit from the same easy-to-use system, but with superior intelligence and impressive graphical reporting capabilities."

Training Managers to Meet a New Challenge: Layoffs

Lieber has authored a Web-based training course that teaches supervisors how to protect their organization from legal liability relating to terminations, layoffs and severance packages. Managing in a Recession covers strategies for keeping top employees and rejuvenating staff morale. In addition to clarifying the administrative details relating to layoffs, it offers methods for re-distributing workloads, allaying fears of remaining workers and insights on re-motivating employees. “This economy is in unchartered waters, and organizations need to support supervisors who are dealing with these highly-charged and emotional workplace issues,” Lieber cautioned. “This kind of training gives the manager sound strategies and a consistent vocabulary to help get their staff through the trauma of a layoff or large job cuts.”

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