{"id":10077,"date":"2020-07-27T23:43:03","date_gmt":"2020-07-27T21:43:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bmkedev.wpengine.com\/?p=10077"},"modified":"2022-01-06T20:51:04","modified_gmt":"2022-01-06T18:51:04","slug":"conducting-layoffs-humanely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/conducting-layoffs-humanely","title":{"rendered":"Conducting Layoffs Humanely During Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Conducting layoffs is never easy. There is never a good time to fire someone, even when they deserve it.<\/p>\n<p>Most businesses <a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/covid-19-distribution-available-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">have taken a heavy beating<\/a> from the global crisis. Over one million people in Kenya lost their jobs due to companies closing down or businesses downsizing to survive the economic downturn brought about by the pandemic. The timing of laying employees off could not be much worse but most establishments have no choice but to do so.<\/p>\n<p>Is your business contemplating layoffs during this time? It is important that you do it in the most humane way possible. Here is how to do it.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0b77a56ec09\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0b77a56ec09\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/conducting-layoffs-humanely\/#Make_sure_layoffs_are_a_last_resort\" >Make sure layoffs are a last resort<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/conducting-layoffs-humanely\/#Maintain_Clear_Communication_Lines\" >Maintain Clear Communication Lines<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/conducting-layoffs-humanely\/#Mind_the_Welfare_of_Laid-off_Workers\" >Mind the Welfare of Laid-off Workers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/conducting-layoffs-humanely\/#Dont_Hide_Behind_COVID-19\" >Don\u2019t Hide Behind COVID-19<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/conducting-layoffs-humanely\/#Stay_in_Touch\" >Stay in Touch<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_sure_layoffs_are_a_last_resort\"><\/span>Make sure layoffs are a last resort<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10079\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/redundancy.png\" alt=\"conducting layoffs humanely\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/redundancy.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/redundancy-378x198.png 378w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/redundancy-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/redundancy-770x404.png 770w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/redundancy-600x315.png 600w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/redundancy-390x205.png 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Take time and table all the other options you may have to take before firing your employees. For example, you could offer salary cuts or send them on unpaid leave. There is always something you can do before laying people off. Let that be the last card in your deck.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Maintain_Clear_Communication_Lines\"><\/span>Maintain Clear Communication Lines<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>More than ever now is the time to ensure that communication lines with your employees are kept open. Clear communication gets rid of any uncertainties your employees may have in regards to their future with the company. Communicating challenges the company is facing also helps prepare the employees for the inevitable so that it doesn&#8217;t take them by surprise.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mind_the_Welfare_of_Laid-off_Workers\"><\/span>Mind the Welfare of Laid-off Workers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-4_1200by630.png\" alt=\"conducting layoffs humanely\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-4_1200by630.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-4_1200by630-378x198.png 378w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-4_1200by630-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-4_1200by630-770x404.png 770w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-4_1200by630-600x315.png 600w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-4_1200by630-390x205.png 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Getting laid off is not easy to handle. It weighs heavily on people in all aspects of their life. For instance, most people go through an emotional rollercoaster.<\/p>\n<p>When this happens during a time of crisis like the one currently being experienced globally, it becomes even more distressing. The laid-off workers are left in a very bad place both physically and emotionally. Ensure open communication is maintained through out and the <a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/announcing-employee-termination\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">employees are handled<\/a> with utmost decency through out the process.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_Hide_Behind_COVID-19\"><\/span>Don\u2019t Hide Behind COVID-19<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10081\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-1_1200by630.png\" alt=\"conducting layoffs humanely\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-1_1200by630.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-1_1200by630-378x198.png 378w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-1_1200by630-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-1_1200by630-770x404.png 770w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-1_1200by630-600x315.png 600w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/article-image-1_1200by630-390x205.png 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The most common and acceptable way to lay people off is to do it in person. Do not lay staff off via text messages, email, or group calls and messages that have been recorded and blame it on social distancing. The action of laying people off is no fun, to say the least. Whether it is the employer himself or the head of human resource who handles the matter, it should be done in real-time and by the person responsible and in person. Make it face-to-face.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stay_in_Touch\"><\/span>Stay in Touch<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Painful as it may be to lay off employees, it might be the only way to survive through trying times. However, make an effort to stay in touch with the employees. Find out how they are holding up and offer recommendations and job referrals where you can. When the business starts thriving in the new normal, you might need them and this will be easy if you have maintained a good relationship. If you decide to hire new employees, you might want to consider\u00a0<a class=\"article-body-links\"class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ug\/skills-assessments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">skills assessments\u00a0<\/a>in order to get qualified employees on board.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Conducting layoffs is never easy. There is never a good time to fire someone, even when they deserve it. Most businesses have taken a heavy beating from the global crisis. Over one million people in Kenya lost their jobs due to companies closing down or businesses downsizing to survive the economic downturn brought about by [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":10078,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"content_author":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-10077","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-employers"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10077","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10077"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10077\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10077"},{"taxonomy":"content_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_author?post=10077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}