How can I help my employees?
July 16, 2010 10:08 AM Subscribe
I opened a glass shop thirty years ago, and it will soon succumb to the economy. In those thirty years I've always thought of my employees as one big family, and that's the way they think about myself and each other.
We've always watched out for each other and have been there for each other in times of need. We all have families, mortages, car payments and two have spouses that have been unemployeed for over six months. They know that there is a chance bankruptcy in the future. Now it's not a chance but a certaintly, I am so broken up about what it is going to mean to them and their familes, that I have become almost nonfunctional and a complete wreck. My hope and goal is to have employement lined up for each of them before I tell them. I know that the job situtation is really bad, but I was hoping for any ideas of what a present employer could do to line up work before they are out of work. I know that a letter of reference is a start, but there must be more that I can do for them.
No matter what, I will tell them within 2-3 weeks before closing the doors, and hope that if possible, stay on until the present jobs that are in the books up are finished, I can certainly if there not able.
We've always watched out for each other and have been there for each other in times of need. We all have families, mortages, car payments and two have spouses that have been unemployeed for over six months. They know that there is a chance bankruptcy in the future. Now it's not a chance but a certaintly, I am so broken up about what it is going to mean to them and their familes, that I have become almost nonfunctional and a complete wreck. My hope and goal is to have employement lined up for each of them before I tell them. I know that the job situtation is really bad, but I was hoping for any ideas of what a present employer could do to line up work before they are out of work. I know that a letter of reference is a start, but there must be more that I can do for them.
No matter what, I will tell them within 2-3 weeks before closing the doors, and hope that if possible, stay on until the present jobs that are in the books up are finished, I can certainly if there not able.
The best thing you can do is tell them as soon as possible so they can start planning on how to move on. Sorry to hear about your situation.
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 10:10 AM on July 16, 2010 [6 favorites]
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 10:10 AM on July 16, 2010 [6 favorites]
If you care about these employees as much as you claim, then tell them immediately about the company's business prospects so that they can take care of what they need to do.
posted by dfriedman at 10:12 AM on July 16, 2010
posted by dfriedman at 10:12 AM on July 16, 2010
Best answer: The best boss I ever had always told his teams EVERYTHING, including and ESPECIALLY bad news that those higher in the food chain didn't want us to know. This boss knew that giving us the info to let us get our own survival plans into gear was a far, far kinder option than leaving us in blissful ignorance.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 10:15 AM on July 16, 2010 [18 favorites]
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 10:15 AM on July 16, 2010 [18 favorites]
Some employers use 3rd party "outplacement service" for laid off employees. It doesn't sound like this will be an option for you, but I figured I'd throw it out there.
posted by mullacc at 10:21 AM on July 16, 2010
posted by mullacc at 10:21 AM on July 16, 2010
Tell them asap. Knowledge is power, and if these are people you care about, then who knows? Maybe together y'all can come up with a plan plan for a new business that can keep the "family" together.
posted by Jon_Evil at 10:25 AM on July 16, 2010
posted by Jon_Evil at 10:25 AM on July 16, 2010
It seems you're probably trying to spare them as much anxiety and anguish as possible by putting off telling them, which is a well-meaning and heartfelt impulse, consistent with the care you obviously have for them; however (and maybe counter-intuitively), it's actually more compassionate to tell them sooner rather than later.
First, as others have pointed out, this gives them more time to prepare in ways that can be very important to their financial well-being -- and not just in the proverbial "getting their resumes together" (though that's important too), but in making different choices than they might otherwise, such as deciding to put off certain purchases, cancel a vacation, etc. People make decisions based on the knowledge they have. In these circumstances, more knowledge is quantifiably better than less knowledge.
Second, your employees already have a good hunch as to what's going on. They are probably anxious and worried, too. Pretending things are fine when they're not for as long as possible isn't a kindness; in a way, it's treating them like children. Treat them respectfully and like fellow adults and share this with them.
I'm sorry this is happening. My best to you.
posted by scody at 10:53 AM on July 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
First, as others have pointed out, this gives them more time to prepare in ways that can be very important to their financial well-being -- and not just in the proverbial "getting their resumes together" (though that's important too), but in making different choices than they might otherwise, such as deciding to put off certain purchases, cancel a vacation, etc. People make decisions based on the knowledge they have. In these circumstances, more knowledge is quantifiably better than less knowledge.
Second, your employees already have a good hunch as to what's going on. They are probably anxious and worried, too. Pretending things are fine when they're not for as long as possible isn't a kindness; in a way, it's treating them like children. Treat them respectfully and like fellow adults and share this with them.
I'm sorry this is happening. My best to you.
posted by scody at 10:53 AM on July 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
nthing tell the troops as soon as possible.
Your state and/or city may have resources - job training, out-placement, etc., as mentioned by mullacc. Even if all you're doing is lining up web links and phone numbers to help them know who and where to call, it will be helpful to them - they may not have the resources to go finding this stuff that you presently do.
I had to sell a company once, and while my employees were all hired by the company I was selling to, I've been in a similar place - it's gut-clenching, but all you can do is do your best. Good luck.
posted by randomkeystrike at 11:06 AM on July 16, 2010
Your state and/or city may have resources - job training, out-placement, etc., as mentioned by mullacc. Even if all you're doing is lining up web links and phone numbers to help them know who and where to call, it will be helpful to them - they may not have the resources to go finding this stuff that you presently do.
I had to sell a company once, and while my employees were all hired by the company I was selling to, I've been in a similar place - it's gut-clenching, but all you can do is do your best. Good luck.
posted by randomkeystrike at 11:06 AM on July 16, 2010
Keep in mind that no matter when you tell them, they probably won't be able to find another job in 2-3 weeks. I've been unemployed twice in the last two years, and both times it took me 2-3 months to find another job - and, from what I understand, that's still less than the average time an unemployed person stays unemployed. So there's a chance that, even though they know you're closing, a lot of them will stick with you until the end simply because they aren't able to find other work. This is just another reason to tell them ASAP.
posted by wondermouse at 11:16 AM on July 16, 2010
posted by wondermouse at 11:16 AM on July 16, 2010
I agree that it's best to tell them ASAP. Years ago I worked in a shop that wasn't doing well and eventually failed. As soon as the bankruptcy became a certainty (when the shop's biggest supplier was no longer willing to extend credit) the owners sat us employees down and told us the whole situation. They said that if we left earlier they would understand, but if we could stay with them until the bitter end they would pay us X amount of extra salary (I no longer remember how much it was; maybe a month or three extra?) You may well not be in a position to pay anything extra, but I advise speaking honestly and openly to your employees. Even though my experience was so long ago, I still think of my former employers fondly and with the greatest of respect. Their honesty enabled their employees to prepare for the inevitable, even at what was a very, very hard time for the business owners who were looking at the collapse of everything they'd worked so hard for.
If you and your employees really are like family, I believe that you owe it to them to let them know the deal as soon as you can. The failure of the business is not under your control; how you deal with it is. And the earlier they know that they will be losing their jobs, the earlier they can also put feelers out to find something new, cut back on unnecessary spending, all that sort of thing.
posted by rubbish bin night at 11:48 AM on July 16, 2010
If you and your employees really are like family, I believe that you owe it to them to let them know the deal as soon as you can. The failure of the business is not under your control; how you deal with it is. And the earlier they know that they will be losing their jobs, the earlier they can also put feelers out to find something new, cut back on unnecessary spending, all that sort of thing.
posted by rubbish bin night at 11:48 AM on July 16, 2010
Also, if possible, allow them some on the clock time to go on interviews to make it easier for them.
posted by Vaike at 2:01 PM on July 16, 2010
posted by Vaike at 2:01 PM on July 16, 2010
It really isn't your responsibility or even place to line up new employment for everyone. Let them make their own decisions, and of course help out, but don't shoulder the burden yourself. Maybe some people will leave early, leaving more budget for the ones who need more time to find new work?
Also, it creeps some people out when they find out bad news AND that that news was being withheld from them.
posted by gjc at 5:23 PM on July 16, 2010
Also, it creeps some people out when they find out bad news AND that that news was being withheld from them.
posted by gjc at 5:23 PM on July 16, 2010
You and your employees are "like family." You are the head of the family, and you have, in business terms, a terminal illness. You have to let them know.
posted by Robert Angelo at 5:51 PM on July 16, 2010
posted by Robert Angelo at 5:51 PM on July 16, 2010
Tell them ASAP, as everyone has mentioned. You might want to establish an online group (yahoo or something) so everyone can stay in touch. This isn't just a feel-good option. As people find new jobs they can tell each other and help the still unemployed find work. The network you establish now will help people land on their feet.
posted by chairface at 8:13 PM on July 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by chairface at 8:13 PM on July 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
It may not be a realistic goal to find work for everyone. I agree with telling people as soon as possible, and offering any severance you possibly can.
I'm so sorry you're losing your business - this must be awful. It reflects very well on you that you are still thinking so much about your employees right now. Good luck to you.
posted by serazin at 1:24 AM on July 17, 2010
I'm so sorry you're losing your business - this must be awful. It reflects very well on you that you are still thinking so much about your employees right now. Good luck to you.
posted by serazin at 1:24 AM on July 17, 2010
I agree with everyone - tell them as soon as possible, and offer whatever incentive you can if even only a few can stay on to finish the jobs for your clients. But, do what you can to, well, be as nice as you can on top of that. This past year my old boss closed the store I'd worked in for the past five years as the sole employee. But, I had a generous and personally chosen lovely parting gift, glowing letter of reference, items from the store I'd admired and that would help if I wanted to start my own business, and whenever there's work that I can still do, she sends it my way and refers others to me whenever she can. Helping your employees to network is really constructive.
posted by peagood at 5:49 AM on July 17, 2010
posted by peagood at 5:49 AM on July 17, 2010
Just an idea, could you tell everyone, ask if anyone wants to leave, and once they've decided, offer to lower everyone's salaries, and your own, and see if you can make it go longer?
You could, if you're really close, cook together to save money, help each other's families with childcare, drive each other to save on fuel, and so on. Maybe it's possible to keep going?
But, tell them, please.
posted by Quadlex at 9:41 PM on July 18, 2010
You could, if you're really close, cook together to save money, help each other's families with childcare, drive each other to save on fuel, and so on. Maybe it's possible to keep going?
But, tell them, please.
posted by Quadlex at 9:41 PM on July 18, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by brainmouse at 10:10 AM on July 16, 2010 [6 favorites]