The redundancy consultation process is necessary when you’re making fewer than 20 employees redundant. An individual redundancy consultation process should span several weeks incorporating two to three consultation meetings with your employee(s).This blog focuses on the first meeting with the employee whose job you’ve determined is at risk.
Many business owners who managed to limp through lockdown and the slow summer months into the Autumn may now find themselves unable to avoid redundancies.
“It’s never easy,” says Megan O’Hara, who heads our Employment Practice at Law 365, “but we think that there is a compassionate and sensitive way to handle the process – one we hope that is less likely to leave irreparable scars. The employees you are putting at risk may have been long-serving, loyal and hard-working so it is important – if the decision is to make them redundant – to try to part on good terms. Also bear in mind this will help protect your reputation particularly when you look to recruit again.”
7 steps for an empathetic first meeting
1. Plan what you’re going to say
For most employers this is a last resort. You may be feeling nervous and/or emotional so take a script as a prompt at least. You don’t want to forget anything important. Be careful with the words you use and allow time for them to sink in.
2. Remain calm
The reaction of your employee might be one of anger. If so, remain calm yourself. Even if you disagree with the decision the company has made, you will need to put your personal feelings aside and ensure you are objective. Stick to the facts and provide the practical information that your employee will need. For example, what are the next steps? How can they contact you?
3. Listen
Once you have explained the reasons for the redundancies proposed, listen to what your employee wants to say. Listening is often the best way to be compassionate, kind and empathetic.
4. Take notes
One way to demonstrate that you’re listening is to take notes. Don’t answer questions you don’t know the answer to or you aren’t sure of. Write them down and be sure to follow up on them promptly after the meeting.
5. Be caring
Now is not the time to think about how difficult this is for you. Whatever emotions you’re feeling about the conversation, you need to focus on how this is going to significantly impact the life of the person who you are talking to. You don’t want to be so objective and factual that you appear unsympathetic.
6. Give them your undivided attention
Switch off your phone (better still, put your phone out of sight), turn off your calendar notifications, don’t let your mind wander, don’t allow interruptions. The only person that matters is in the room with you right now.
7. Any questions?
Always ask your employee if they have any questions for you. Make it clear they can come back with questions after the meeting if they don’t have any now. This is just the first stage of the consultation process, so there’s no rush.
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