Canadian Business magazine contacted Vancouver-based Clear HR Consulting to provide human resources expertise on how to layoff employees with dignity and respect for their September 14, 2009 issue.

For more information on how to layoff employees, please view our newsletters on Creative Alternatives to Layoffs and How to Handle Layoffs Effectively.

Geoff Howard’s recent column in the Business in Vancouver newspaper regarding the costs of layoffs highlights some critical points companies need to consider when deciding whether to layoff staff to deal with difficult economic times.

According to Ian Cook, director of research with BC HRMA, companies that cut costs through pay freezes or cuts, and benefit reductions often outperform competitors who use layoffs to reduce their costs.

Why?

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The latest edition of HR Smalltalk, Clear HR Consulting’s e-newsletter, features tips for small- and medium-sized businesses for how to handle their human resources needs during an economic slowdown, including key considerations to take into account when considering layoffs, along with creative alternatives to layoffs while still reducing your staffing budget.

Our colleagues at Vertical Bridge Corporate Consulting Inc. are holding a complimentary session on how to create tailor-made, practical and dignified transition solutions for restructuring, reorganizing or downsizing your talent pools.

In the session, you will learn how outplacement services can provide a focal point for managers and other employees to deal with any individual questions or concerns related to downsizing and other related reorganization within their company. Learn how to provide new career options for those facing layoff. One-on-one counselling with outplacement consultants, workshops and referrals to other programs, resources and employers are just a few of the options.

The session is being held on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm at the Vertical Bridge offices located at 600 - 890 West Pender Street, Vancouver BC.  Space is limited so please RSVP by January 23, 2009 to sreder@verticalbridge.ca.

A recent shooting tragedy at a company Christmas party in Vancouver emphasizes the need for employers to be highly sensitive to employees’ emotional state when timing a layoff.

According to news reports, an employee, who had been let go the day prior to the Christmas party, allegedly shot and killed the owner of his former employer.

While the reason for the shooting have not been confirmed, we note that the holiday season can be a stressful time, and it is best to avoid layoffs in December when possible.  One reason is that the stress of losing one’s job can lead to people to engage in dangerous, erratic or emotional behaviour.  The killing of a boss is an extreme outcome, but there are many past examples of employees resorting to violence after being laid off, especially when leading up to the holiday season.

When conducting layoffs, be sensitive to the timing of the announcement, and consider having outplacement counseling services available on site to assist employees in dealing with their feelings after being let go.

We offer our thoughts and condolences to the Banky family and the employees of TallGrass Distributors.