With all the news of big tech layoffs I stumbled across an article on LinkedIn titled "Is Email The New Layoff Messenger?"

In the few times it has happened to me, it's been face to face. The HR teams I've worked with always employed the same approach.

Times have changed.

Just because we work remotely, hybrid, and globally, does not meant that every single human doesn't deserve the same dignity and respect when they leave their company.

The best places to work focus intently on their onboarding processes, but offboarding is just as important.

I don't care if it is a mass layoff of thousands, a cold impersonal templated email is just wrong.

These same companies can make time to give performance reviews to each and every single employee every single year (or more often) but they cannot take the time to have a respectful 1:1 conversation? C'mon!

So many businesses spends millions on employer branding, pumped up benefits, and recruiting campaigns to attract the best talent, but that money is wasted because all that employee will remember in the end is they felt used and unappreciated.

Being subject to a RIF is commonplace these days so yes it is to be expected and nothing personal. However, there are simple things leaders can do to ensure their outgoing employees feel acknowledged and supported.

The best experience I had being laid off was a respectful, in person conversation, a follow up formal session to go over severance and last day formalities, followed by free access to an outplacement counselor who worked with me to help me identify my wants and needs and target a new job search.

Regardless of the method of communication used, it is important to approach the layoff with empathy and transparency, and to provide as much support and resources as possible to help the affected employees transition to their next job.

#endrant