Amador County Chamber News August 2009

Business Advisor

Print this Page

Help Employees Shine after Downsizing

By Jim Wilmarth

Have you had to make the painful decision to cut staff to keep your business in top form? You may have thought the hard part was over after layoff day. But for many businesses with leaner staffs, there's a new challenge: keeping your best and brightest employees from feeling dull and disengaged.

Even if they are thankful to have jobs, chances are surviving employees are experiencing stress due to increased workloads, anxiety about a possible new round of layoffs and even guilt because they were able to stay while other valued employees were let go.

Focus on the Positive

Communication is more important than ever after a layoff. Being in tune with the feelings and needs of employees can help ensure your workforce remains motivated and productive, and in turn keeps your company thriving.

Meet with staff members one-on-one. Now is a perfect time to tell employees why they are an important part of your organization and how they can help it move forward. Discuss goals for the future, including responsibilities that could be career-expanding.

Promote teamwork and efficiency. Let your staff know "we're all in this together." Ask for employees' input to develop ways to streamline workloads. If your staff feels bogged down by too many meetings, find ways to eliminate some or make them less time-consuming. Provide training if employees are taking on new tasks. Keep communicating your mission, vision and values to help employees focus on strategy, progress and customer satisfaction.

Remember small details can make a big difference. It may also be necessary to cut overhead costs during a downsizing, but beware of minor changes that could be drastic. Taking away quality coffee, for example, could cause negative moods and low morale.

Show your appreciation. As your staff continues to work hard, reward them for a job well done. Don't eliminate positive routine events, such as a company holiday party – even if it needs to be more modest than years past. If your company is advancing after downsizing, thank your staff with year-end bonuses.

Jim Wilmarth is a Commercial Loan Officer at Bank of Amador with over 21 years of banking experience. For more information, contact Jim at (209) 223-7237 or jwilmarth@bankofamador.com.