1) Building confidence in the organization and leaders; 2) Instilling optimism for the future; 3) Caring for employees (e.g., managing stress and work/life balance, ensuring safety, offering adequate pay, supporting their community); and 4) Training the survivors to keep the business running and serving customers."The results of this analysis provide companies that are undergoing -- or planning to undergo -- layoffs invaluable insight into how to keep survivor employees engaged," stated Jack Wiley, executive director, Kenexa Research Institute. "After the chaos of downsizing, it is imperative that leaders work hard to re-instill confidence in the viability of the organization, as well as set up support systems for work stress. The aftermath of layoffs is messy, but unwavering leadership can heal their organization more quickly by equipping employees to do more with less in their attempts to meet and exceed customer needs." The survey also found that the percentage of companies undergoing layoffs range widely from country to country, with Brazil reducing the most (10%) and Japan and Russia reducing the least (4%). In addition, a large percentage (43%) of laid off workers are 25-34 years of age, and clerical and professional workers bear the brunt of the layoffs, 29% and 22% respectively. About WorkTrends™ The Kenexa WorkTrends database is a comprehensive normative database of employee opinions on topics including leadership, employee engagement and customer orientation. Comparisons are available for workers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. About Kenexa Kenexa (
The Kenexa Research Institute Identifies Priority Number One in the Aftermath of Layoffs: Reengaging Employees
How Can Leaders Drive Employee Engagement After Layoffs?
| Source: Kenexa
WAYNE, PA--(Marketwire - December 9, 2008) - With anywhere from four to 10 percent of global
companies undergoing layoffs these days, many employees find themselves in
one of two categories -- survivor or laid off employee. In a time where
high performance is critical, organizations that conduct layoffs may find
that the survivors are disenchanted, de-motivated, and disengaged --
characteristics that can drag down the fiscal health of the entire company.
The Kenexa Research Institute (KRI) examined what is needed to support
engagement of survivors and where companies may fall short. KRI asked the
critical question: What does it take to keep survivor employees engaged
after layoffs?
According to the analysis from the Kenexa WorkTrends™ database, employee
engagement is statistically and practically lower for employees whose
organizations have conducted layoffs in the past 12 months than it is for
employees working in organizations without layoffs. In addition, the survey
found that both layoff and no layoff groups of employees need to feel
confident about their company and in their future. Of those employees in
organizations who have experienced layoffs in the past 12 months, however,
fewer employees feel confident -- only 43% of employees with layoffs report
confidence in the future of their company, compared to 61% of employees
with no layoffs (a 17 percentage point difference).
Further analysis reveals where survivor employees are most vulnerable. For
example, a little more than one-third (35%) of the workforce whose
companies have laid off workers in the past year feel confident in their
senior leaders, compared to 45% if no layoffs. Nearly the same percentages
apply for employees who feel they have a promising future at the company
(35% if layoffs and 43% if no layoffs).
Four key themes emerged as drivers of engagement for survivors:
NASDAQ : KNXA ) is a global leader in building the world's greatest
workforces using a combination of software, employee research science and
business process optimization. Kenexa's global solutions include applicant
tracking, onboarding, recruitment process outsourcing, employment branding,
skills and behavioral assessments, structured interviews, performance
management, multi-rater feedback surveys, employee engagement surveys and
HR Analytics. Kenexa is headquartered in Wayne, Pa. (outside Philadelphia).
Additional information about Kenexa and its global products and services
can be accessed at www.kenexa.com.