Downsizing is here to stay

Are you prepared?

Downsizing is difficult for all involved. Employees whose roles become redundant may be traumatised and experience shock, while those who retain their positions will also be affected. Retained employees are expected to smoothly transition into a new organisational structure – not always an easy task.

In modern business practice, large scale organisational change such as downsizing and restructuring is increasingly common, and leadership and change management skills have become essential for those in management positions. Strong leadership is needed to ensure a workforce successfully negotiates organisational change. Optimism, direction and positive communication are critical to maintaining productivity and focus in employees who may be plagued by doubt, uncertainty and the trauma of losing their co-workers.

It is imperative that individuals leaving the organisation are well supported and understand the options available to them. Helping affected staff successfully manage their transition will ensure that employees harbour no ill-feelings toward the organisation and speak positively of the support provided.

As the transition phase nears completion, managers and employees who have retained their positions may need training and assistance with steering the organisation back onto the right track. People are often reluctant to let go of the old and embrace the new, and can feel vulnerable and uncertain, or stressed by change and new responsibilities.  

Downsizing is here to stay and it is essential to develop practices and partnerships that help affected employees with career transition and provide coaching in leadership skills, resilience and change management. For over thirty years, Lee Hecht Harrison has successfully partnered a range of organisations needing help with managing change. We have a wide and varied range of services to assist with downsizing, career transition, leadership development and more.