Survivor support in a time of redundancies  - Melissa Ritchie It may seem odd to talk about ‘survivor support’ when you are thinking about the poor souls that will be losing their jobs due to redundancy at this time.  However, there has been a lot of research done around the mental state of the ‘survivor’.  We often forget the ones who will still have a job at the end of a redundancy program thinking that they are ‘OK because they still have a job’.  The thoughts and feelings of a ‘survivor’ might surprise you and can include: I may have survived this round of redundancies but who knows when there are going to be more, which may effect me. How can we work after all these people have gone, I am going to be expected to work all hours and do things that haven’t been part of my job before. I am losing a lot of good colleagues and friends, the work won’t feel the same when they have gone, I won’t enjoy work so much. My efforts won’t be rewarded or recognised in the future, we will all be expected just to get on with it. It is very important to ensure that you communicate will all your employees at this time and motivate and support the survivors.  Once the redundancies are over put some of your time to rebuilding the teams that now have some members missing.  Some of the things you might consider doing are: An employee meeting where you can explain that the last round of redundancies are expected to be all that will be required, that you have a lean and talented team that you are confident will be able to take the company into the good times again.  Give your view of the future; that times may be hard but you have a good product or service and talk through some of the contracts that you will be working on.  Lay out the time line for team or departmental meetings and 1:1 reviews.  Encourage communication. By getting team leaders to meet with their teams to discuss how the department will function and tasks be distributed and issues overcome will empower employees so that they don’t feel that things are ‘just being done to them’. Scheduling 1:1 meetings will ensure that every individual has a chance to explain how they are feeling about the future and what concerns are specific to them.  This will enable you to support and motivate the people you have. A simple tool that will help you take your people with you through the process is the ‘change curve’ http://www.internalcommshub.com/open/change/toolkit/curve.pdf It is important to understand that this is a process we go through, it is our nature.  For those that enjoy change the ‘time’ axis will be short.  For those that don’t like change or have had a bad experience the period of time to go through this process may be considerably longer and managers need to understand where each member of the team is and how to move them on to the next phase. If you would like to discuss how you can help managers manage in a time of change please contact the HR Tap.

 

A Christmas tale - John Bartlett Statistics show that at times when we are exposed to increased stress, unusual routine and distractions there is an increase in the number of accidents in the home. Of all the times in the year when all three factors come together to impact on our daily life the Christmas period must surely be the prime time. A few simple safety steps which need only take a few extra seconds can help you enjoy a safe and happy Christmas. Initial preparations normally involve hanging decorations and dressing the Christmas tree. It is essential to use proper step ladders when putting up decorations in positions which would normally require you to stretch or climb precariously on to the edge of a chair and it is vital that you do not overreach - a few seconds spent moving the step ladders could prevent a painful fall. Care should be taken not to overload sockets with Christmas tree lights and other extra electrical items. On Christmas Day itself discarded wrapping represents a fire hazard and the, hopefully, many presents which are scattered around can be a tripping hazard or if they are toys they can pose a variety of safety problems if they fall into the hands of a child who is younger than the age group for which the toy is designed. The easiest way to deal with these hazards is to tidy up the items and put them in a safer location where the risks of accidents occurring will be reduced.    Similarly Christmas Day is the time of greatest activity in the kitchen and a little extra effort and organisation in keeping worktops and cookers tidy with hot, heavy or sharp objects well back from the edges or with handles turned in so that they do not overhang will reduce the risks of any accidents. Overall it can be seen that with a little thought and organisation the risks of accidents occurring can be greatly reduced and will in turn lead to a less stressful Yuletide.    If past statistics are anything to go by 80,000 people will pay a visit to their local A&E over the 12 days of Christmas. Please don’t become a statistic.   A merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year to everyone. John