Delivering Difficult Messages with Dignity
We recently shared this article by Jack Kelley at Forbes about some harsh “Black Mirror” style Zoom firings happening as a result of COVID-19. While experiencing understandable financial stress, the companies who are conducting these RIFs (reductions in force) are demonstrating a lack of sensitivity to the humanity of their employees. Kelley ends the article saying: “Just because we’re living in volatile and chaotic times, it doesn’t mean that corporations can abrogate their responsibilities to their employees.”
We couldn’t agree more and wanted to share a story about a corporate executive that our CEO Ron Kraft interviewed during his research for the “Empathy & the Workplace” online seminar.
What happened?
The entertainment company in question had been acquired 18 months earlier by an enormous content distributor. Even before the merger closed, everyone knew that a massive reorganization would be required at some point. The question wasn’t if, but when.
When it did come time for the reduction in force, it was smack in the middle of the COVID-19 quarantine. There was a lot of anxiety in the air already and a member of the senior leadership team realized that a poorly-handled RIF could have negative implications for other important company efforts.
So, what did he do?
He had a 1:1 video call with every person he knew that was being separated.
He told them what an awesome contribution they had made to the company and expressed the honest truth about how much he had enjoyed working with them.
He told them the elimination of the position had nothing to do with them.
He told them as new jobs were created at the combined entity those separating would be given the first chance to apply (no guarantee of hiring).
And finally, he offered stability for those reentering an unstable job market by providing an unusually long runway, terminating each one effective at the end of 2020 after which a generous severance package would kick in.
How did it go?
Better than we would have imagined, with specific rewards for the departing staff, the remaining staff, the corporate reputation, and of course the executive himself.
We believe it’s possible for you, no matter your job, title, or industry, to bring empathy back into your workplace. We hope you'll register for the webinar to learn more at this link.