Orange County Register

Layoffs are a business reality in today’s recessionary economy, says Kristin Tillquist, author of Capitalizing on Kindness: Why 21st Century Professionals Need to be Nice. “Record layoffs around the country, the worst level since the Great Depression, are causing

Kristin Tillquist

stress, decreased productivity, lawsuits, and toxic workplace environments.”

But there are ways to preserve and bolster relationships and business prosperity in spite of this unfortunate economic necessity, she says.

“Kindness is the key to making layoffs more humane and less painful for everyone involved” Tillquist says. Simple methods greatly help the person being laid off, giving them the type of treatment that preserves their dignity – above all, treat them like they are simply retiring not like they are being fired.

But what about those remaining after a round of layoffs?  othing is more disconcerting to those left behind than a suddenly-empty desk with no explanation from the bosses and no chance to say goodbye to their colleagues, she says. “The very health of your business is dependent on maintaining a positive – and hence more productive – work environment. So showing consideration during layoffs is not just kind; it’s a recessionary survival tool for your business.”

To help business owners and bosses deal with layoffs, Tillquist offers five tips for a kinder layoff:

1. Say you are sorry for their loss.
2. Thank them for their past service.
3. Let them stay on for a few days after the layoff notice.
4. Offer to help with their professional transition.
5. Let their colleagues say a proper goodbye; a farewell luncheon?

If you have a strategy, tip or resource to help small businesses, send it to me at jnorman@ocregister.com. If I use it, I’ll give you credit and link to your web site.

Other small-business tips…

• Top 10 areas every business should evaluate now
• Forum to help high-tech entrepreneurs
• Turn a ‘No’ client into a ‘Yes’
• Does Google misunderstand small-business needs?
• You need jungle survival skills to survive today
• Internet radio for business executives
• Your biz plan could win incorporation services
• Event helps firms capitalize on green energy movement
• How to get referrals from your customers

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.