Caring for Survivors & optimizing organizational success NEROAC 2012 Gary Deziel Associate Dean, Operations & Staff Support; Interim Financial Manager
Objectives Understand what survivors may be “going through” Tips on managing survivors Leadership during this difficult time Remember to take care of you
What did you learn in Management 101 about allocating limited resources?
Have things changed for you? Are your budgets in a “better place?”
The moral of this story is…
Majority of research has centered on layoff victims. Survivors are also victims. Survivors are also victims.
Know that people are grieving. Recognize that your employees’ emotions are legitimate.
Collection of emotional, psychological and physical reactions… o Fear, insecurity, uncertainty o Unfairness, distrust, betrayal o Sadness and depression o Guilt
o Anger, frustration, resentment
o Increased illness o Increased turnover o Reduced productivity
Some people remain optimistic Tough actions, but clear road to recovery New excitement in their work Challenged by the prospect of what’s ahead
What not to do.
Regular and effective communication Listen well and listen often
Regular and effective communication…
Communication Regular meetings with agenda Ask how people are doing Ask what rumors are out there Check in 1:1 more often
Communication Stay focused on message Let staff know that they should come direct to you
Work! Set clear, realistic, attainable short- term goals
Eliminate stuff that does not directly serve internal and external customers
Time to recast the mold
Model positive behavior!
Listen well and listen often…
What About Us? HR takes care of everyone else Who’s taking care of us? Stress will take its toll! Be aware of your stress Eat, exercise, sleep, time away is needed The Employee Assistance Program is there for us, too!
References survivors-suffer-too/#.TpWsaLIqHlY