Incentive - September 2008 - (Page 54)

HANDLE By Carol Patton with Care involved, but managers can remains after the pink slips viewing or résumé-writing techniques, or, depending upon their position and tenure, could work with a personal job coach for several months. That same day, the remaining 1,500 employees were told about the layoffs through a series of meetings and individual conversations with management. Canales says discussions revolved around why the layoffs were necessary, what the former workers received and how the firm would proceed. Canales adds that the firm’s managing member—Keith Vaughan—traveled to every office over the next several weeks to help ease employees’ fears and address their questions about the firm’s plans for the future. By having an effective communication outlet, employees could talk about changes in a positive way and there be more layoffs? Were the other employees treated fairly? Will I be next? Many HR professionals are savvy at helping fragile employees who’ve lost their jobs transition to new careers or employers. Offering severance packages, a job search counselor, training and other forms of assistance is common. However, HR must pay close attention to all workers, not just those left behind. Productivity and job satisfaction can plunge if employees aren’t motivated, engaged, treated fairly, reassured and kept continuously in the loop. list seems endless of employers that are closing plants, downsizing or streamlining their business operations. Womble found itself in the same predicament. This was the first layoff the company had ever experienced. Still, Canales suspected everything would turn out well if the people who were being laid off were treated fairly and if the remaining employees knew it. So on that fateful Tuesday, 45 employees were notified that they would lose their jobs. Canales says what came next softened the blow. They were offered immediate support or counseling by a local outplacement firm. Some received severance pay for one month, others for longer. They could also attend a series of how-to workshops that covered a variety of topics, such as inter- Layoffs are a nightmare for everyone alleviate much of the anger and fear that ack in February, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice did something that law firms rarely do: It streamlined its workforce by laying off 45 support staff in its 11 offices along the East Coast. “This was quite a blow,” says Carmen Canales, chief talent officer at the law firm, based in Winston-Salem, N.C. “People were in fact scared and surprised, because for a law firm or professional services environment, this is not something that happens every day.” Layoffs are among HR’s worst nightmares. Telling people they’ve lost their job can be a difficult or even traumatic experience, not just for HR or the employees about to leave, but also for the employees who remain. Numerous questions pop up in their minds. Will B the truth Almost every day, newspaper headlines announce employee layoffs. Ford Motor Co., Starbucks, United and Continental airlines, Polaroid Corp.…the 54 | Incentive | September 2008 | incentivemag.com Illustration: Chad Crowe Pr o m o t e http://incentivemag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Incentive - September 2008

Incentive - September 2008
Contents
Editor's Note: The Best of Times and...
Headlines
Cover Story: MetLife Rethinks Recognition
Incentive Interview: Russ Edelman
Case Study Orkin: The Presidential Treatment
Coca-Cola Bottling: The Sweet Taste of Success
Keep Cash Off the Hood: Auto Incentives
Handle with Care: Motivating After Layoffs
Start Spreading the News: PR Incentives
Planning: Got Lemons? Make Lemonade
Industry Veterans Speak: The President Slept Here
Motivation: Action! Start Teambuilding Now!
Incentive Primer: How To Reward Well
Motivation@Work: The Character Connection
Travel News: Where To Go and What To Do
Top Undiscovered Destinations: New Territory
Field Report: South Africa In Style
Field Report: Golf's Pilgrimage
Potentials Here and Now
In-Room Gift Ideas: Pillow Talk
Shopping Sprees: Shop Till You Drop
Gift Cards: Plastic Is Perfect
Advertiser Index
Last Word: Outsmart! Author James Champy
Special Supplement: Mexico

Incentive - September 2008