Cuts to the quick. How to soften the blow of layoffs

No one relishes a layoff, but with the volatile changes in healthcare, financial imperatives may force many administrators into the unpleasant task of laying off trusted employees. When faced with the possibility of closing a hospital's doors, personnel reductions may be the only reasonable alternative. The actual process of laying off employees can be traumatic. At a time so highly charged with emotion, it is best to have a procedure to follow. Layoffs should affect employees in every pay grade and not single out any one group. Also, managers should take employees outside their department to give them the bad news. The plan should also include a list of those to be let go, criteria for the order of layoffs, and a list of teams to meet with affected employees. In addition, managers should ascertain the total cash entitlement for each employee to be let go and arrange for a complete paycheck on the last day, prepare to discuss other pay options that are available, gather all documents pertaining to the employee, and give the employee all the information in writing.