Title

Is it 250, 500 or 750,000..? Depending on the commentator, a range of forecasts have been offered on how many public sector employees will lose their jobs over the next few years. In local government alone, the numbers suggested are up to 300,000. And this doesn't take into account the numbers affected as spend through to the private and third sector begins to dry up. Martin Horton is a director at SOLACE Enterprises Not surprisingly, these numbers are casting a dark cloud over many organisations. Even in the absence, as yet, of formal processes, restructurings and at-risk letters, there is a feeling of inevitability and a consequential impact on organisational atmosphere and individual morale. 'Let's not waste a good crisis', might be the call in some quarters, as people try to use the opportunity to rethink and realign their organisational purpose and practices. But maintaining a sense of organisational opportunity in the face of so much individual threat is a difficult trick to pull off. So, what is being to done to ensure the impact of this negative atmosphere is managed and mitigated as effectively as possible? Different individuals will react in different ways. From heads being buried – denial, procrastination and paralysis through to CVs being dusted off – choices are already being made. And what many will want is at least some sense of personal control rather than waiting and reacting when the worst happens. In all of this, employers have a duty of care. Supporting people as they consider their own future is something that should be happening now, not waiting until formal processes kick in. It might not be easy, particularly in the face of media cheap shots about wasteful spending, but now isn't the time to reign back on the investment in people. There is a cost to supporting people through difficult times. But there is a greater cost in sinking morale, lower productivity and losing the willingness of very able people, if we don't.

Title

WHITEHALL

Soapbox

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING