Did you hear about the daily newspaper employees who were told that their positions were being redefined, that they would have to apply for their jobs all over again and that by the time the reorganizational musical chairs stopped, 70 of them would be unemployed. Who could make this up? Staffers at The Journal News, a Westchester daily owned by Gannett, just lived through this nightmare.

This is definitely one of the harsher stories floating around. However, after we all finish shaking our heads in sympathy, there’s a question we need to ask ourselves: “If this involved us, would we be hired?”

Continue reading " Boomerang Pink Slips "

With the national focus on cost-cutting and layoffs, a critical asset of every company is currently being neglected: the highest-performing employees who are vital for restoring organizational health. What are you doing to ensure your most valued employees remain with your company — engaged and motivated to achieve strong results? 

When an organization is in the process of cost-cutting and staff reduction, the messages communicated to employees often focus on streamlining and cutting back. However, these kinds of communications do little to engage employees.
As a staff member in an employee focus group once eloquently explained, “Let’s say you own a house and you decide not to replace the roof when it needs replacing and you stop painting so often. You are saving money, but if that’s all you think about, you don’t feel so good about the house anymore.”

Continue reading " How to Engage Your Best Employees During Layoffs and Cost Reductions "

What’s your next career move? While you may be more focused on “career retention” than “career advancement” right now, I suggest you reconsider. Drastic times call for drastic actions. It might be tempting to lay low or “stay off the boss’ radar” right now, but that is the last thing you should be doing.

In fact, a strategy of “staying off the radar” is likely to backfire and actually make you more of a target for workforce reduction. It’s far more effective to increase your visibility as a valued employee. That way, even if you do lose your job, you’ll be top-of-mind for other opportunities.

Continue reading " What’s Your Next Career Move? "

Starbucks recently announced that it will close 300 stores, affecting 6,000 employees, and lay off 700 employees who don’t work in stores. This news was an unfortunate follow-up to the coffee store chain’s 600 store closures and layoffs last summer. But the latest announcement contained something new: management skin in the game.

In addition to the cuts, Starbucks’ Chief Executive Officer Howard D. Schultz will reduce his salary from $1.2 million a year to less than $10,000 a year.

Continue reading " Announcing Layoffs? Put Some Management Skin in the Game "

A colleague called recently to tell me about an out-of-state position she’s been offered. Delighted about the opportunity, she planned to accept the offer the next day.

“Congratulations,” I replied. “What’s the housing market like there? Are they paying for your moving expenses?”

“Gee, I don’t know,” she said.  “I didn’t think to ask.”

With moving expenses easily running $10,000 and up, this is most definitely something to address in your negotiations.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a job offer in another city or state and overlook some of the practical aspects of relocation. The following are tips on things to consider when you review job opportunities that involve a move:

• Negotiate moving expenses as part of the offer and be clear on what’s included. Will the movers pack your household? Will your employer cover the cost of storage if there’s a delay before you can move in to your new home or apartment?
• Ask your prospective employer to arrange for a realtor to show you apartments and/or homes so you have an idea of the housing market in your new location. A friend who moved from Madison, Wis., to the north shore of Chicago was stunned to learn the cost of a home would triple from his previous experience.
  

Continue reading " Tips on Negotiating Relocation Benefits: How to Ensure That When You’re Moving On, You’re Also Moving Up "