For small business owners, there may come a time when you face the tough call of making redundancies. It’s not just a statistic; it’s about real people and livelihoods. In the last year alone, the UK has seen a 54% jump in planned redundancies, and that’s a number no one wants to contribute to without serious consideration.
So, if you’re at that crossroads, here’s some advice on how to approach redundancies with the care and attention they deserve.
Plan with Purpose
Jumping straight into redundancies without a solid plan isn’t the way to go. Start by figuring out how many roles you need to cut. Remember, if it’s 20 or more, you’ll need to enter into a collective consultation. Get your facts straight and be ready to answer the tough questions from your team. We would also recommend taking advice first and in a timely fashion.
Inclusive Consultations
When you’re planning the collective consultation, make sure it’s a two-way street. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about engaging with your team, being transparent, and easing the natural worries that come with redundancy news. With the right groundwork, you can get through this stage in a couple of weeks.
Fair Selection
Choosing who stays and who goes is possibly the hardest part. You’ll want to set clear, unbiased criteria for this. It’s critical to be objective and steer clear of any discrimination. Fairness is key, and it’s essential that your team understands how you’ve reached your decisions.
Empathy and Support
Remember, redundancies aren’t just a legal process; they’re personal. Show genuine support and offer a listening ear. It makes a difference.
For more detailed guidance or a helping hand, reach out to enlightenHR. We’re here to support you through these challenging times.
Remember, you’re not just running a business; you’re leading people. Handling redundancies with care is not just good practice; it’s good humanity.
Holly Mapstone is an HR expert and specialises in helping those of you in the SME sector with all of your HR needs.
Consultancy allows Holly to be agile and to adapt her style and support to suit the needs of her clients. Building strong working relationships allows Holly to deliver improvements, while also aligning people strategy to business outcomes and promoting resilient and positive cultures.
Need Advice?
If you need a hand with any of this, or anything else when it comes to the people and practices in your business, we’d love to help. We are always happy to debate the pros/cons, dos/don’ts with you so please do talk to us if we can help in any way, we are here to support you. Just give us a call and arrange a free consultation. You can talk to Alison directly on 07967 221595 or email info@enlightenhr.com
