The forgotten survivors

Singapore - For companies that are currently in the midst of laying off workers, it would be a mistake to ignore those who are left behind.

While there is a need to put an arm around retrenched workers, HR needs to remember that the ones who would be carrying the company through the crisis are the employees who have remained. With a short turnaround period, HR needs to quickly train their employees to pick up the extra workload, says John Battersby, a consultant for human capital training firm, Learning Insights.

It is equally important to maintain clear communication within the ranks at all times, the former soldier with the British army's Parachute Regiment adds. "In these scary times, if you think people are hanging on to their jobs for dear life, you are wrong. If you don't tell your people what's going on, they are going to leave."

Furthermore, the uncertainty might worsen the situation for the company, says Battersby. "Perversely, rather than making them work harder, that makes everybody a bit pathetic and useless."

Battersby also stresses the importance for HR to introduce emergency team-building sessions to boost their remaining employees' morale after a retrenchment exercise. "After their colleagues were given the pink slip, they become worried that whatever they do, they may still end up losing their jobs."

Instead Battersby advises HR to reassure those who remain that they are safe if they work hard and broaden their skills. "If you tell your guys the ship is sinking, but if everyone grabs a bucket to bail the water out, we can stop it from sinking."