Tips for Post-layoff Motivating September 23, 2008 With so many details to handle during a layoff, don't forget these critical things that can motivate remaining staff:
By Carol Patton
1. Consider investing in on-site employee training, says Manny Avramidis, senior vice president, global HR, at the American Management Association in New York. "Employees have to feel some level of self-worth or value," he says. "It keeps them engaged, gets them better at what they do, increases their confidence and [makes] them feel better about themselves. Should they lose their job, they're still marketable."
2. Another good idea that few companies do: Continuously keep employees apprised of the company's financial condition. So long as employees are informed, he says there will be few surprises during rough economic times. Most employees could ask for nothing more.
3. Invite employees to become part of the solution. Instead of having managers meet behind closed doors to solve problems, why not turn to those who create the products or service their customers? He suggests listing all challenges on a whiteboard during brainstorming sessions. In the end, he says, management may discover that their trouble doesn't stem from their $5 cup of coffee but the bagels that are priced too high.
4. "Exiting staff pays a lot of attention as to how their friends and family have exited before them," Avramidis says. "That will weigh heavily on their mind as to what sort of effort they're going to put forth. Will they show up to work and do the best possible job they can or with their mind on their next interview? That's the difference."
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