Getting communications right post-layoffs

Layoffs have become an uncomfortable fact of corporate life. A recent Workhuman report reveals that over a third of US employees have experienced layoffs. It's no wonder that many workers are entering the office with a "when, not if" mindset about job cuts. This new normal is breeding a cocktail of anxiety, disengagement, and productivity slumps that HR leaders can't afford to ignore.

So, how do you keep your remaining team motivated when the specter of layoffs looms large? KeyAnna Schmiedl, Workhuman's chief human experience officer, has a radical suggestion: talk money. Not just surface-level chatter, but deep, transparent conversations about the company's financials. Why? Because today's employees are amateur economists, tuned into market trends and hungry for insights into their company's fiscal health. They've seen too many high-flying startups crash and burn not to be skeptical of rosy growth projections.

But throwing a bunch of numbers at your team isn't enough. Schmiedl advocates for a more nuanced approach. Think of it as a crash course in "Company Finances 101." Your goal should be to equip every employee with the tools to understand your specific business model, revenue streams, and yes, even the dreaded bottom line.

While you can't promise job security (who can these days?), you can provide a roadmap of what the next six months might look like. It's about arming your team with knowledge, not just data. After all, in the post-layoff workplace, a little financial literacy goes a long way towards rebuilding trust and keeping your best talent engaged.