Talk to Your People, They May Surprise You.

In this uncertain economic climate, with competing camps claiming the economy is exhibiting “green shoots,” “stagflation” or is still miles from “rock bottom”, many employers are cutting costs by terminating workers.  Sure, sometimes it is a convenient reason to eliminate dead weight (and we all know most companies have that), but sometimes hard decisions need to be made about good employees.

Management often makes these decisions in a vacuum, without consulting the rank and file.   But this story out of Scotland illustrates that when you discuss difficult matters with your staff and give them a choice, they will probably act rationally.  When given the choice between layoffs and an across the board 10% pay cut (with added vacation days), the employees voted overwhelmingly to keep their jobs and take less pay.