SURVIVOR'S GUIDE TO DOWNSIZING
Slide: WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS, OBJECTIVES
Name, role, tenure, location.
Objectives: Discuss normal reactions to downsizing in organizations
Give you some constructive ways for dealing with the current situation.
Slide: WHAT IS THE CURRENT REALITY?
Companies are under economic pressure to remain competitive and survive
Reorganizations, takeovers, mergers, downsizing, joint ventures are happening
everywhere
The pace of change is extremely rapid - from one day to another, from one minute to
another.
Slide: WHAT IMPACT DOES IT HAVE ON EMPLOYEES?
Do not underestimate the impact downsizing can have on you and your life.
Downsizing means Loss.
Loss of colleagues
Loss of how how things were (even if it wasn't all perfect!)
Loss of security
Slide: Downsizing means Anxiety
Anxiety about keeping your job
Anxiety about the future and your life
Anxiety about when it will be your turn
Slide: Downsizing often causes Resentment
Resentment that "life's not fair"
Resentment towards the company, leadership for taking away what you had
Resentment feeling that the company is unappreciative of everyone's efforts and
commitment
and no longer cares about its people.
Slide: Downsizing can deal a tremendous psychological blow
Shock - the world as you knew it is now gone
Denial - "It won't happen to me. So and so will take care of me."
Anger and hurt - "After all I've done . . ."
Fear - "Oh no! I'm going to be next!"
Guilt - I'm glad it's not me who's going.
Slide: The impact of downsizing can be seen and felt throughout the organization
Low morale, negativity
Decrease in productivity, workplace tension
Absenteeism and Illness
Slide: All these reactions are to be expected and are normal under the circumstances.
It's natural to feel powerless and question your own value and abilities
Management expects these reactions . . . to a point.
Contrary to how you might feel, it's important to work even harder at times like these.
The major purpose of this workshop is to help move you to action.
Slide: WHAT CAN YOU DO? A Set of ABC's for Handling Downsizing
Analyze - Your situation being as honest with yourself as you can. What options do you have?
Concretize: A plan. Fight against feeling powerless
Empathize - With those leaving. Let them know they will be missed. Share your feelings.
Exercise - Take care of your health. Get the endorphins flowing.
Fantasize - Try to imagine some possible positive scenarios for your future. Consider some
"what if's?"
Finalize - The past, what's been, mourn the past and prepare for the future
Slide:
Harmonize - Your life, work is only part of it. Don't give up other parts that are important to
you.
Hypothesize about what you see going on around you and possible implications for you. Reality
test your conclusions.
Maximize - Your work time, work hard, set priorities, be efficient. Volunteer, Take on new
things.
Minimize - Alcohol, cigarettes, food, drugs other chemical coping - they can only provide
temporary relief. Try to find healthy alernatives.
Mobilize - Move into action, read articles, search the web - learn how others have coped and
gotten through.
Get involved. Consider new possibilities inside and outside the company
Slide:
Prioritize - Do the most important work first. You will probably have increased responsibilities
and getting everything done might not be realistic.
Realize - Face the reality. Don't pretend it will never happen to you. It's a job, not your life. It's
the economy, it's not you.
Socialize - At work, get up and walk around. Don't isolate yourself. Make appointments with
friends outside of work.
Strategize - Get creative, take risks, make suggestions, brainstorm, make yourself valuable,
volunteer, support boss, allow self to mourn. Do your best work.
Verbalize - Express sadness, loss, anxiety re future, anger (not necessarily at work). People often
try to cope on their own. Not owning your feelings, not talking about them, pretending you are
ok can be dangerous to your physical and emotional health
Slide:
DONT'S:
Don't bastardize your work record - or self-sabotage. How you behave now is critical. Resist
the temptation to act out in ways that will damage you and your reputation.
Don't chastise yourself. The situation is not your fault. Yes you are grateful you still have a
job but you can also be angry about the changes happening outside of your control.
Don't demonize your company and boss. They have to do what they have to do. They can still
be helpful to you. No point antogonizing them.
Don't paralyze yourself with anger and inaction. Do your best to get through this. Get help.
Don't scandalize the company and its practices. They can still help you.
Don't tantalize yourself by living on the edge and not preparing yourself for what might happen
in the future.
Slide:
One more round:
Aggregate - Collect information for your future. Explore potential future options. Build your
professional network. Maybe explore different career options or starting a business you've
always dreamed of.
Articulate - If your workload becomes totally unmanageable, you will need to address this and
explore potential solutions with your manager.
Appreciate - For the time being, you still have a job!
Accelerate - Become much more efficient. Challenge yourself to be even better at time
management.
Ameliorate the situation. Reach out to others. Take pride in helping others and getting outside
yourself.
Advocate for yourself. Seek information about your situation. Find out what you can do to save
your job or continue working at the company.
Slide:
Calculate your financial situation. Know your situation so you can face it should it be
necessary.
Celebrate - your accomplishments. It's not easy working with a lot of ambiguity. Celebrate and
allow yourself to say goodbye and mourn what was.
Concentrate on doing the best job possible. These times bring with them opportunities to shine.
Educate - Learn about your options. Learn to do as many jobs as you can. Know your benefits
and legal rights - severance, outplacement, resources.
Elevate - your endorphins with exercise. Exercise does so many good things for your body and
soul.
Emancipate yourself from feeling powerless
Slide:
Evaluate - Assess your skills
Eliminate - negative behavior while you are at work
Emulate - good role models, be the kind of person you want to be
Irrigate and salivate - Drink a lot of water, eat healthy delicious foods. Give yourself treats
too!
Motivate yourself. Reward yourself for what you do that's difficult.
Slide:
Navigate these tough times by doing your best. Be prepared for a bumpy ride.
Negotiate - arrangements. Discuss extra work, incentive program, bonus, tradeoffs
Recreate - Have fun. Schedule it in. This is a necessity, especially in hard times.
Radiate - a positive attitude at work. A negative one will not help you or your future.
Slide:
DONT'S:
Don't deviate from your resolve to get through this difficult time doing the best you can.
Don't elevate your stress level more than necessary - try to take it in stride
Don't procrastinate - now is the time to move into action
Don't relegate yourself to being a victim . . .
Don't terminate! Hang in there! Slide:
WRAP-UP:
What resonated with you about today's session?
What might you do differently as a result?
What is one thing you will move into action on right away?
Thank you for your participation.
Remember, you needn't feel alone through this process. Call us. We are here to help.