How do you lay people off with heart?

By Deb Boelkes

Follow the Golden Rule. The best approach is always “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  The Golden Rule is a guiding principle that leaders should live by every day, but it’s never more important than when employees are at their most vulnerable. Imagine how you would want to be treated if you were to lose your job and take action with that in mind.

Face Reality. Certainly few of us want to be laid off, but as Jack Welch, former CEO and Chairman of General Electric once said, the best leaders “face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it to be.”

If lay-offs in your company are not immediately imminent, but could be a possibility in the days or weeks ahead, don’t ignore the facts and don’t keep it secret. It’s far better that team members be forewarned so they can mentally prepare, determine their options, and make plans.

Communicate personally– in a calm and caring manner.  The owner / CEO should let team members know what they know as early as practical before any layoffs take place. Be honest, candid and empathetic when communicating. Forewarnings should be handled face-to-face. This can be done as a web-based town hall if in-person one-on-one meetings, by Skype or other means, are not practical.

Solicit input. Let employees know, in no uncertain terms, you are all in this together. ...