Navigating Layoffs with Humanity as a Leader

Course details

Layoffs are challenging for everyone, but as a manager, you have the power to handle them with empathy, transparency, and professionalism. In this course, join instructor Mita Mallick as she outlines a human-centered approach to managing layoffs and shows you how to ensure you support both impacted and non-impacted employees while maintaining trust on your team and within your organization. An ideal fit for mid- to senior-level people leaders, regardless of your industry or field, this course also equips you with strategies to maintain professional relationships post-layoffs. Along the way, you'll get the chance to use AI to practice having challenging conversations.

Learning objectives
Communicate organizational changes with transparency.
Plan and execute layoff logistics to minimize impact and support all employees.
Demonstrate effective one-on-one and company-wide messaging during layoffs.
Support both impacted and remaining employees with clarity and sensitivity.
Apply strategies to maintain professional relationships post-layoffs.

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - A human approach to layoffs

1. Be Transparent

02 - Communicate company performance
03 - Answer questions about future layoffs
04 - What to say if layoffs are imminent

2. Handle Layoff Logistics Compassionately

05 - Layoff logistics - Timing
06 - Layoff logistics - Setting
07 - Layoff logistics - Transition period
08 - Layoff logistics - Transition guidance
09 - Layoff logistics - 1 - 1 conversations with employees impacted
10 - Layoff logistics - Company-wide messaging

3. After a Layoff

11 - Supporting non-impacted employees
12 - Setting expectations with impacted employees who stay longer
13 - Maintaining relationships with former employees

Conclusion

14 - Next steps