Leading Your Team Through Layoff Uncertainty

Imagine this…You receive a notification that your job is being eliminated…

In June of 2024.

BUT wait.

There’s a possibility that it could be eliminated sooner.

What do you think happened to that employee who received that notification?

In most cases, the tale goes like this…

That said employee is scared out of their mind.

They begin the search for their new career

Spending their time and energy on finding their next opportunity.

Leveling up their relationships.

Their skillset.

Ultimately, they’ve disengaged.

I mean, they’re living in a world of uncertainty.

Why would their focus be on the organization or work they are expected to complete?

All the while, telling friends and family about their predicament…

Tearing the reputation of the organization through the mud.

Perhaps the intention of providing this much notice was for your organization to complete a critical project

Or

To allow employees ample time to conduct their job search.

The moment that you added the clause “there’s a possibility it can happen sooner”.

You failed.

We need to do better.

We need to reduce the ambiguity.

And remember these are people.

People with families and loved ones that they provide for.

People who have put their blood, sweat, and tears into your organization.

I beg of you to humanize the experience.

They are not just a number on a spreadsheet.