As a Sacramento-based medical staffing agency, we know that hospital layoffs are painful – no matter how you look at them. Not only are the staff members who are laid off upset, but remaining personnel are left feeling uncertain about the future. And while layoffs may be necessary, they can have a serious impact on productivity, as well as your hospital’s ability to retain and recruit talented employees in the future. To help ease the pain, here are some suggestions to consider when dealing with hospital layoffs:

1. Address the issue.

If there are rumors buzzing regarding layoffs, address them immediately. Don’t try to keep your hospital personnel in the dark out of fear that bad news will discourage them. And don’t undermine their trust by lying or being unrealistically upbeat when you know layoffs are imminent. They’ll know something is wrong and begin to panic – or start looking for another job – if they don’t have solid details to act on.

2. Handle it delicately.

Any layoff should be done in private, with time for the employee to absorb the information and react. Be prepared to offer them an explanation as to why they’re being laid off and also have any severance information readily available. Be genuine and sympathetic; also offer to help, such as with a referral letter.

3. Provide support.

Many hospitals offer career transition or outplacement services. Not only does this help laid off employees to transition into a new job, but it also makes a statement to your remaining staff that your organization cares.

4. Share the pain.

If layoffs are necessary, hospital leadership may want to share the pain and set an example by freezing their own compensation, or reducing or eliminating bonuses.

5. Communicate often.

Inform remaining staff immediately if their job duties will change due to the layoffs. Also, keep them updated on any changes in the hospital’s position. Try to address any anxiety or concerns with rational and fact-based discussion.

6. Fill the void.

To supplement your core staff and allow them to focus on their priorities, consider using temporary workers. Temporary workers can offer the help you need, only when you need it, without adding to your fixed overhead.

If you’d like to learn more about temporary staffing at your hospital, please contact Pacific Staffing. We’re a leading medical staffing agency with more than 20 years of experience right here in Sacramento – and we can help ease the pain caused by layoffs.