SURVIVOR'S GUIDE TO
DOWNSIZING
OBJECTIVES
 Discuss normal reactions to downsizing in
organizations.
 Give you some constructive ways for dealing with the
current situation.
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.
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 things were
(even if it wasn't all perfect!)
 Loss of security
Downsizing means…
Anxiety
Resentment
 Anxiety about keeping
 Resentment that "life's not
your job
 Anxiety about the future
and your life
 Anxiety about when it will
be your turn
fair“
 Resentment towards the
company, leadership for
taking away what you had
 Resentment feeling that
the company is
unappreciative of
everyone's efforts and
Psychological Impact
 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.”
Impact on the Organization
 Low morale, negativity
 Decrease in productivity, workplace tension
 Absenteeism and Illness
Expectations
 All these reactions are to be expected and are normal under
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the circumstances.
It's natural to feel powerless and question your own value
and abilities
Management expects these reactions . . . to a point.
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.
A Set of ABC's for Handling Downsizing
What Can you do?
 Analyze What options do you have?
 Concretize: A plan
 Empathize - With those leaving
 Exercise - Take care of your health
 Fantasize - Try to imagine some possible positive
scenarios for your future.
 Finalize - The past, what's been, mourn the past and
prepare for the future.
What can you do?
 Harmonize - Your life, work is only part of it.
 Hypothesize about what you see going on around you and
possible implications for you.
 Maximize - Your work time, work hard, set priorities, be
efficient.
 Minimize - Addictive behaviors -they can only provide
temporary relief.
 Mobilize - Move into action.
 Get involved.
What can you do?
 Prioritize - Do the most important work first.
 Realize - Face the reality.
 Socialize - At work, get up and walk around.
 Strategize - Do your best work.
 Verbalize - Express sadness, loss, anxiety about the
future, anger (not necessarily at work).
Don’ts
 Don't bastardize your
 Don't paralyze yourself.
work record
 Don't scandalize the
 Don't chastise yourself.
company and its
practices.
 Don't demonize your
company and boss.
 Don't tantalize yourself by
living on the edge.
More Positive Actions
 Aggregate - Collect
information for your
future.
 Accelerate - Become
much more efficient.
 Ameliorate the
 Articulate - If your
workload becomes totally
unmanageable
situation. Reach out to
others.
 Advocate for yourself.
 Appreciate - For the
time being, you still have a
job!
More ABC’s
 Calculate your financial
situation.
 Celebrate - your
accomplishments.
 Educate - Learn about
your options.
 Elevate - your
endorphins with
exercise.
 Concentrate on doing
the best job possible.
 Emancipate yourself
from feeling powerless
More ABC’s
 Evaluate - Assess your skills.
 Navigate these tough times
by doing your best.
 Eliminate - negative behavior
while you are at work.
 Negotiate arrangements.
 Emulate - good role models.
 Recreate - Have fun.
 Irrigate and salivate - Drink
 Radiate - a positive attitude
a lot of water.
 Motivate yourself.
at work.
Do’s!
 Do stay on track
 Do keep stress under control
 Move into action
 Do resist the urge to be a victim . . .
 Do hang in there!
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’re here to help.