Well, I’ve heard it all. Yesterday I learned that the Fraser Health Authority in B. C. terminated a group of workers.
So, big deal. People are terminated all the time. Yes they are…but not in a group setting!
That’s right. The workers were all herded into a room and told that they no longer had jobs. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised what with all the terminations that are going on in health care right now.
Who has time to tell people one-on-one that they have lost their jobs?
When I hear these stories I wonder about the impact of the people who have to “soldier on”. Those employees who are “lucky” enough to hold onto their jobs. The ones that will now have to do “more with less”.
And what about the clients, patients, customers? What kind of service can they expect to receive?
And what about productivity? I know from experience that major restructuring and terminations create fear and anxiety in those left behind. The rumour mill runs wild. People “circle the wagons” and focus on protecting themselves from a similar fate.
I would be interested in learning just exactly which values guide the Fraser Health Authority. Respect doesn’t seem to be one of them.
David Noer wrote his classic book, Healing the Wounds, for a reason.
Organizations that fail to respond to the needs of people left behind leave themselves open to ongoing problems:
- hostility
- grief
- anxiety
- loss of innovation and creativity
- mistrust in the organization
- poor teamwork
- loss of management credibility
- poor quality services to customers
- loss of energy
- loss of spirit
- etc. etc. etc.
Try and have a good week! Lesley
