ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609270034
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CAMILLE WRIGHT MILLER
Companies "which suffer really adverse reactions from a downsizing are those which announce it on Thursday and on Friday everybody is gone," said Bob Freiburger.
"There's such a shock that goes along with that, nobody saw it coming. Those that are leaving are overwhelmed with it, and those that survived are still in shock and nothing gets done for weeks."
For companies to avoid those reactions, Freiburger tells companies to "give plenty of advance notice, have advisers for outplacement and financial matters on-site."
Additionally, "an important distinction is to have the work conducted on-site during normal working hours, visible to those who will be remaining with the company. They'll see the counseling, the help, the advice."
Freiburger, owner and president of Freiburger and Associates, a Charlotte, N.C., outplacement consultant, said there are four reasons companies downsize:
*A significant reduction in sales necessitating becoming a smaller operation.
*A need to become more competitive in the marketplace in terms of production costs, which often means operating with fewer people.
*Changes in a company's products often demand changes in workers' skills.
*Mergers of companies and of divisions within companies that often result in reduction in the managerial or white-collar ranks.
Regardless of the reason, if downsized employees have a few months between the company's announcement and the date they'll leave, and they can use work time to begin a job search, "during that period, they have their support group around them, their co-workers can help, provide advice and emotional support."
Freiburger said "those sorts of transitions or downsizings always go better than those that are abrupt. When those departing are gone, the survivors may not know their jobs are secure forever, but at least they know that those who left were treated well." NHAT MEYER\Staff. Bob Frieburger, a Charlotte, N.C., outplacement consultant, believes downsizing works best when employees are given plenty of notice to prepare for the loss of their jobs. color.
LENGTH: Short : 47 linesby CNB