The Truth About Managing People: Proven Insights to Get the Best from Your Team, Fourth Edition

Truth 61. In Cutbacks: Don’t Neglect the Survivors

In the last decade many major organizations reduced their number of employees. In 2014 alone, organizations as varied as Microsoft, Merck, Cisco, Volvo, and Time Inc. all announced massive layoffs.

When layoff announcements are made, attention naturally flows to those individuals who’ve lost their jobs. We expect that they’re likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and similar negative feelings. Organizations respond by offering layoff victims outplacement services, psychological counseling, support groups, and extended benefit programs. While we certainly don’t want to minimize the trauma that layoffs create for those who have lost their jobs, managers often ignore the impact that downsizing ...