Layoffs - Keep the Door Open

Layoffs are bad news for everyone: Bad for managers, employees and customers. If you have not experienced one first-hand, you are very fortunate.   If you have, you know how miserable it is.   I have been on all sides of the decision and I survived.

This article is based on lessons learned.  It is intended to offer hope; hope based on planning for the future.   If you have to lay off some people, get it over with.  Once done - move forward.

Moving forward obviously includes your plans to retain current clients and re-grow your business. It should also include plans  to get  good employees back . How many will you need in the long run?  What talents are most important and who has them?

There are many advantages to taking back good employees when you can.  This true in good times and bad.

1. You know them.

You know who is a steady performer, who is creative, and who you can count on.  You won’t have to wait to find out how someone else will work out.  You likely know how your  former employees are likely to respond to the opportunity to return.

2.  You establish your company as one that values their people.

Layoffs can blemish your company’s image.  Even thought the economy-at-large is not your doing, public reaction may still be negative.  Taking back good employees will help heal that blemish.  Public perception will be positive and this can be very good for your company.  It can increase sales and retain customers.

3. Customers know these people and have relationships with them.

Business is conducted person-to-person, not company-to-company.  Seeing a familiar face and hearing a familiar voice is reassuring to your customers.  They see that as a way of saying the company is coming back.   It says your company is a dependable group of people with whom they can do business.

4.  You don’t have to retrain.

They know the company and how you operate.  They know your product or services and they know how to make it work for the customers.  The cost to recruit, orient and train new employees can be very high.   Beyond dollars, it takes valuable time and when you are rebuilding you don’t want to waste time.

5. You recapture your investment

You invested in these people once before.  You paid all the start up costs and paid to maintain skills, knowledge and consistent performance.  It would be a shame to throw that away entirely.  Bring them back is a way to recapture your investment.

Remember to keep the door open so they can walk back in.

Until next time.

Patricia

PS. Don’t forget to subscribe to the RSS feed in the coffee cup above.