An oil and gas company that operates globally signs an agreement to shift the operations...

Importance of Timely Communication: Explain to the site manager that timely and direct communication is crucial to maintaining trust and preventing misinformation. Employees should hear about the layoffs from the company, not through rumors.

Respect for Employees: Emphasize that informing employees promptly respects their dignity and gives them time to prepare and seek other opportunities.

Mitigating Impact on Work: Discuss strategies to minimize the impact on the critical assignment, such as transitional support or temporary replacements, ensuring that the project can still be completed despite the layoffs.

Collaborative Solution: Work with the site manager to develop a plan for communicating the layoffs that considers both the need for transparency and the operational requirements. This might involve staggered notifications or support measures to help manage the transition.

Follow-up Support: Provide ongoing support to both the site manager and the affected employees, ensuring they have the resources and assistance needed during this difficult period.

This approach aligns with SHRM's guidelines on respectful and transparent communication, supporting employees during layoffs, and maintaining operational continuity.