So you considered the alternatives, researched the law, reviewed the employees to be let go, and you do it. Now what? More often than not, the remaining employees will most likely be responsible to pick up the workload left by their departing coworkers and it is likely that the morale of all the employees will be affected.

Don’t forget the human side of downsizing.

Employees are people too. Whether you intend on keeping, or firing an employee, treat them fairly and with respect. Recognize that layoffs affect all employees, not only those being let go, so show compassion in all your activities; it is likely to go a long way in shoring up the respect of your staff.

Bonuses and incentives.

Best practices encourage bonuses or recognition rewards to show your appreciation for your staff. In tough economic times this may not be feasible, but many inexpensive incentive programs exist. Be creative, think out of the box, and you and your remaining staff will enjoy a successful business relationship.

Remember – you are not alone.

While the process of downsizing can be painful for any size organization, know you are not alone. Unfortunately, our unemployment statistics tell us many employers are going through some level of layoffs as well. Some are confident to go through the process alone. However, many are not, and have reached out to professional HR firms to assist them through this difficult period. If you anticipate laying off staff, we  highly recommend contacting an HR Consulting or HR Outsourcing firm to help you. CPEhr has a team of experts ready to guide you. Be confident you are doing the right thing!