Internal and change communication done well has never been so critical as it is right now. It is a hideous time for people, and of course so many people are hurting from job losses.
Redundancy, while not the employee's fault, can have massive and long-lasting impacts on a person's confidence and mental health if not managed sensitively.
It can leave employees feeling deflated, undervalued, angry and hurt.
This email from the co-founder and CEO of AirBnB is handled so beautifully that it is worth sharing.
Awful news (25% reduction in AirBnB workforce), but communicated respectfully and sensitively and with a genuine acknowledgement and gratitude for the value those affected have brought to the organisation.
While the AirBnB business is suffering right now, this single email has ensured it will remain a "desired" workplace into the future. It has consistently ranked highly as a desired workplace and the delicate and genuine handling of COVD-19 redundancies will ensure it remains so into the future.
It is an excellent example of internal communication/change communications done well! Those of you who need to handle similar conversations in the coming weeks and months should take a leaf from Brian Chesky's book.
If communications is not your strong point, a professional communications consultant (Change management or Internal communications expertise) is a good investment. Ensure you have a clear, sound and sensitive change strategy in conjunction with HR, internal and external communications teams.
Redundancy, while not the employee's fault, can have massive and long-lasting impacts on a person's confidence and mental health if not managed sensitively.
It can leave employees feeling deflated, undervalued, angry and hurt.
This email from the co-founder and CEO of AirBnB is handled so beautifully that it is worth sharing.
Awful news (25% reduction in AirBnB workforce), but communicated respectfully and sensitively and with a genuine acknowledgement and gratitude for the value those affected have brought to the organisation.
While the AirBnB business is suffering right now, this single email has ensured it will remain a "desired" workplace into the future. It has consistently ranked highly as a desired workplace and the delicate and genuine handling of COVD-19 redundancies will ensure it remains so into the future.
It is an excellent example of internal communication/change communications done well! Those of you who need to handle similar conversations in the coming weeks and months should take a leaf from Brian Chesky's book.
If communications is not your strong point, a professional communications consultant (Change management or Internal communications expertise) is a good investment. Ensure you have a clear, sound and sensitive change strategy in conjunction with HR, internal and external communications teams.