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More On Step 6 At HR Rehab
By Ron | December 30, 2008
Last time we talked a little about HR leading the way after a Reduction in Force (this ties into Step 6 where they will want a seat at our table). This author has been involved in many layoffs in the electronics industry in past decades. These RIF’s led to a decline in loyalty and productivity. Not much good ever came from the layoffs other than immediate economic relief. Most of the companies in the seventies aren’t around anymore except for HP which wouldn’t reduce their employees. They chose many other methods to reduce cost instead. This might account for their longevity.
Perhaps the depth and harshness of this recession won’t allow most companies to avoid RIF’s. Regardless, this is an opportunity to open the door for Human Resources to take charge. In the past, we were the ones with the dustpans who followed the parade cleaning up after the elephants. We worked at limiting the law suits, the wrongful termination charges and minimizing the employee unrest. This time around, Human Resources can become the Phoenix arising out of the ashes. This time, HR can lead the charge for a new and exciting path for the company to take.
Be creative. Get your team together, add in some line managers and brainstorm a new vision. This may sound hokey, but I have assembled a group together, given them crayons and asked them to draw their vision. This process always blows me away on how people get into it and come up with unbelievable and awesome creations. Another way is for the team to create a Vision Board. Most of you are aware of this technique where you cut out pictures from magazines or whatever and put them on a bulletin or poster board. The pictures represent your vision of “things” you want. By using the remaining workforce in the process, you, in HR, can fire-up the team and take them to new heights. It can even be fun.
Topics: HR |