High turnover during and right after a pandemic is likely to create unnecessary chaos and instability. Take a few steps to prevent this problem and maintain a stable workforce:
- Prioritize employee development. Realize that employees care about more than a paycheck. They want to grow, learn, gain new skills, and be more effective in their roles. Make sure you give them continuing education and training opportunities, despite the pandemic.
- Avoid decision-making based on gut feelings and personal experience. If you must make tough decisions, do so on facts and reliable information.
- Communicate transparently about layoffs. If there will be layoffs/furloughs, be honest about them and transparent about how/when they will happen.
- Listen and talk. Confusion, fear, stress, and panic are common during a crisis. Be prepared to communicate, share information, and respond to questions and concerns.
