1st Edition
Strategic Redundancy Implementation Re-Focus, Re-Organise and Re-Build
Redundancy, restructuring, downsizing. There are few, if any, other management books on this important topic, and yet the pace of redundancies has only accelerated in recent years. Coupled with this, many companies that implement redundancies as a cost-cutting exercise often fail to achieve their goal.
Whilst viewed as an uncomfortable topic by many, guidance on how to implement a redundancy programme that is fair, proportionate and ultimately leads to improved organisational performance, has never been more needed. This book fills this important gap. It takes the reader through a redundancy implementation strategy – Re-Focus, Re-Organise and Re-Build – that incorporates the key aspects of planning and analysis, fairness and justice, and prepares management for redundancy implementation through training. What will your communications include? What will be your strategy for implementation? What training does your management need? Various helpful template examples are included for employee consultation, communication and training.
The book will be invaluable for business managers, HR professionals, employee representatives and HR students.
PART I Re-Focus: Understanding the challenge
Chapter 1 The redundancy phenomenon
Chapter 2 Success of redundancies as a business strategy
Chapter 3 The negative impact of redundancies on the workforce
Chapter 4 Limiting redundancies – alternative strategies
Chapter 5 The legal aspects of redundancies
PART II Re-Organise: Redundancy implementation: Planning and strategy
Chapter 6 A review of redundancy incorporating strategies
Chapter 7 Strategic redundancy implementation
Chapter 8 Communication strategy
Chapter 9 Employee representatives: Adding value to redundancy implementation
Chapter 10 Organisational support for victims, survivors, semi-survivors and redundancy envoys
PART III Re-Build: Re-building the organisation
Chapter 11 Re-building the organisation post-redundancy implementation
Biography
Madeleine Stevens is a senior lecturer in Human Resource Management at Liverpool John Moores University. She has published a number of articles for the CIPD on redundancy implementation and how to mitigate the negative impact of redundancies for individuals and organisations. Prior to joining academia, Dr. Stevens worked as a HR practitioner for over 20 years, holding various roles internationally with extensive experience in business restructuring and improvement. She has won several awards for her research and innovative teaching from the Academy of Management and Association of Business Psychologists. Dr. Stevens is a Fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD), Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and Paralegal Society (Specialist Employment Law). She is also a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society.
"Madeleine Stevens has produced an important book for teachers, learners and professional practitioners of HR. The book provides an original and comprehensive guide on all aspects of redundancies, and supplements this with practical examples and templates of associated documents. This is in my view an unmissable resource for everyone with an interest and role in managing redundancies." - Professor Jim Stewart, Professor of Human Resource Development, Liverpool Business School
"Restructures and redundancies are often an unavoidable part of an HR professional’s working life, but knowing how to carry them out with compassion is vital. Madeleine is an expert on limiting the negative effects of such programmes and brings a fresh perspective on the impact on all individuals involved in the process. This book is sure to be a must read for HR professionals." - Katie Jacobs, Senior Stakeholder Lead – CIPD and business, journalist
"Dr. Madeleine Stevens’ book offers a fresh and much needed rethink on the issues around how companies’ approach and implement redundancies. It explores positive alternatives to redundancies that limit the emotional impact on employees and the detrimental effect redundancies can have on businesses." - Colin Gosling, Senior Unite Rep and European Siemens representative, Siemens ITS Poole
"At last a book about this difficult topic that is both practical about the process but also deals with the emotional rollercoaster for all participants. Maddy Stevens’ compassionate approach is no soft touch, and has the authenticity of hard won experience." - Toby Peyton-Jones, OBE, Former HR Director Siemens UK and Northwest Europe
