Management Training – It’s not just for the ‘good times’

With news of short time working, redundancies and business closures, it’s not surprising that many employees have become nervous about what the future holds for them. Inevitably, this will cause some people to become distracted and therefore not completely focused on what needs to be achieved. A potential consequence of this is that they become less productive, less creative and take fewer risks, which is not what a business needs in the current climate.

It is important therefore that managers are trained not just to recognise the ‘mood’ of their staff but that they are also given the skills and capability to influence the motivation and morale of their staff in a positive way.

Some business will have to restructure and make staff redundant, but the way managers handle this sensitive and emotive issue can have a big impact not just on those who leave, but also on the morale and commitment of the staff who remain.

One of the key characteristics of how successful organisations perform after any such restructuring is how retained employees feel their colleagues who left the business were treated. Organisations whose staff felt that their redundant colleagues were treated poorly often subsequently struggle with low levels of employee motivation and productivity for a while after the restructure. Treating people ‘unfairly’ can range from a number of things.

For example, redundant staff may have experienced:
· Little or no support to find a new job.
· No opportunities for retraining.
· Redundancy payments handled incorrectly.
· Broken promises from managers.
· Leaving the organisation’s premises with out any recognition or thank you from their manager.

It is important therefore that managers are given the appropriate management training and support to help them deal with the consequences of a business restructure. For example they need to be able to:

· Give appropriate time, attention and sympathetic support to affected staff.
· Help staff to focus on the future and not dwell on the past.
· Give practical and useful advice and guidance about how to find a new job.
· Demonstrate independence and not collude with staff.

Management training can therefore play a vital role in a successful restructure. It will help managers deal with the effects of redundancies sympathetically and appropriately and at the same time enable them to ‘keep an eye’ on future motivation. After all, you want staff who leave the business to be prepared to recommend it to potential employees in the future as well as maintain the productivity and commitment of those who remain.