Enduring the recession: Three survival strategies for employees, their companies and HR
From the July 2009 issue of Ceridian Connection.
Will this recession ever end? Employees and their companies are experiencing the longest period of economic downturn since the Great Depression. Workers are exhausted, physically and mentally. Organizations are cutting costs to the bone, laying off even top performers and wringing every bit of productivity from the employees who remain. And caught in the middle, working hard to shoulder the load are the HR professionals.
The recession has created extraordinary challenges in workplaces around the globe. A recent Ceridian survey of employees in the United Kingdom revealed that one in ten respondents would take a pay cut in order to keep their job; nearly half were willing to compromise their work/life balance and work longer hours.
Survival strategy: Give employees substantive help to improve productivity
"As the recession continues, employees can feel shell-shocked," says Beth Lundholm, manager of Management Services for Ceridian LifeWorks. "They're working longer hours. They might face bankruptcy or foreclosure. As the worries mount, the pressure can be intense. And managers aren't immune -- we count on them to help increase morale, but they're being blasted too."
It's human nature to shut down in the face of all this, Lundholm says. And that's where Ceridian LifeWorks Employee Assistance Programs can help. "Just one phone call can let the sunshine in a little bit," she says. "The employee's problem may not disappear, but now there's a plan. When everything seems to be falling apart, the employee can take certain things and put them back into order-and that one action leads to a feeling of ability and empowerment.
"It sounds really simple, but this can make a major difference in feelings of control and in the ability to manage and take action. And that transfers to job performance. The employee is better able to remain positive, open and make quick changes -- which benefits the employer in many ways."
Survival strategy: Use incentive and development programs to boost morale
Lisa Hart, product manager for Ceridian Human Capital Management, reports that the persistency of the economic downturn has had unprecedented effect on employers. "This recession has lasted so long that even the top performers are losing their jobs as entire departments are closed," she says. "The employees who survive are the ones who have cross-functional skill sets."
Ceridian's Trapped in a Downturn study of British workers reflects this new reality. Nearly half said they would be prepared to do a different job than the one that they were originally employed to perform. Hart says, "An account manager with cross-functional skills may be able to transfer to implementation; but a senior development engineer -- even one who has been an exceptional performer -- may not be able to find another position within the company."
Employers are hard-pressed to drive productivity these days, Hart says. "But one way to encourage productivity and maintain engagement is to show appreciation in a way that's meaningful. Ceridian HR/Payroll clients can leverage Ceridian Incentive Solutions to create a gift card program that can be customized to their workforce. They're discovering that the amount of the reward doesn't matter as much if it resonates with the recipient in a genuine way."
In today's lean environment, Hart encourages companies to incorporate career development and learning strategies. "Ceridian Career & Development Planning gives employees the opportunity to take ownership of their career development," Hart says. "The individual holds the power to identify and develop the competencies they'll need for future job growth; learning and development activities are suggested to close the gaps. Employees very much appreciate the ability to take action to improve their future."
Survival strategy: Focus your priorities to manage tough recruiting challenges
"These are especially trying times for HR professionals," says Michael Palmer, global vice president for Ceridian's Talent Acquisition Practice. "Business leaders count on HR to keep the organization competitive with smart recruiting strategies. But limited staffing levels within HR make it even more difficult to effectively manage the recruitment process and uphold a positive candidate experience -- and when a job is posted, instead of receiving 50 resumes, HR gets 300. This recession is a double-edged sword. There are top performers out there -- but it's harder to find them in the avalanche of resumes."
Palmer notes that a renewed focus on priorities can help HR manage the new realities of recruiting -- and Ceridian customers who use Ceridian Recruiting Automation and Pre-employment Screening are armed to face the challenges with confidence. "These are solutions that let you outsource all or part of the recruiting function in a way that is cost effective," Palmer says. "Time-starved HR professionals can better meet organizational expectations when they can post a position to multiple job boards without doing it manually, screen candidates with automated tools, and create a database of solid candidates. The cost savings accrue quickly."
Ceridian Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) solutions are especially valuable for companies that want to eliminate their fixed costs for recruiting and reduce cost-per-hire and time-to-fill, Palmer reports. "As part of our RPO services, Ceridian also does the headhunting, which dramatically reduces the cost of agencies."
Eventually, the dark cloud of the recession will lift. In the meantime, help your employees cope. Help your company keep costs low and prepare for the future. Take care of yourself, too, because everyone is depending on HR. And Ceridian is here to help.
Will this recession ever end? Employees and their companies are experiencing the longest period of economic downturn since the Great Depression. Workers are exhausted, physically and mentally. Organizations are cutting costs to the bone, laying off even top performers and wringing every bit of productivity from the employees who remain. And caught in the middle, working hard to shoulder the load are the HR professionals.
The recession has created extraordinary challenges in workplaces around the globe. A recent Ceridian survey of employees in the United Kingdom revealed that one in ten respondents would take a pay cut in order to keep their job; nearly half were willing to compromise their work/life balance and work longer hours.
Survival strategy: Give employees substantive help to improve productivity
"As the recession continues, employees can feel shell-shocked," says Beth Lundholm, manager of Management Services for Ceridian LifeWorks. "They're working longer hours. They might face bankruptcy or foreclosure. As the worries mount, the pressure can be intense. And managers aren't immune -- we count on them to help increase morale, but they're being blasted too."
It's human nature to shut down in the face of all this, Lundholm says. And that's where Ceridian LifeWorks Employee Assistance Programs can help. "Just one phone call can let the sunshine in a little bit," she says. "The employee's problem may not disappear, but now there's a plan. When everything seems to be falling apart, the employee can take certain things and put them back into order-and that one action leads to a feeling of ability and empowerment.
"It sounds really simple, but this can make a major difference in feelings of control and in the ability to manage and take action. And that transfers to job performance. The employee is better able to remain positive, open and make quick changes -- which benefits the employer in many ways."
Survival strategy: Use incentive and development programs to boost morale
Lisa Hart, product manager for Ceridian Human Capital Management, reports that the persistency of the economic downturn has had unprecedented effect on employers. "This recession has lasted so long that even the top performers are losing their jobs as entire departments are closed," she says. "The employees who survive are the ones who have cross-functional skill sets."
Ceridian's Trapped in a Downturn study of British workers reflects this new reality. Nearly half said they would be prepared to do a different job than the one that they were originally employed to perform. Hart says, "An account manager with cross-functional skills may be able to transfer to implementation; but a senior development engineer -- even one who has been an exceptional performer -- may not be able to find another position within the company."
Employers are hard-pressed to drive productivity these days, Hart says. "But one way to encourage productivity and maintain engagement is to show appreciation in a way that's meaningful. Ceridian HR/Payroll clients can leverage Ceridian Incentive Solutions to create a gift card program that can be customized to their workforce. They're discovering that the amount of the reward doesn't matter as much if it resonates with the recipient in a genuine way."
In today's lean environment, Hart encourages companies to incorporate career development and learning strategies. "Ceridian Career & Development Planning gives employees the opportunity to take ownership of their career development," Hart says. "The individual holds the power to identify and develop the competencies they'll need for future job growth; learning and development activities are suggested to close the gaps. Employees very much appreciate the ability to take action to improve their future."
Survival strategy: Focus your priorities to manage tough recruiting challenges
"These are especially trying times for HR professionals," says Michael Palmer, global vice president for Ceridian's Talent Acquisition Practice. "Business leaders count on HR to keep the organization competitive with smart recruiting strategies. But limited staffing levels within HR make it even more difficult to effectively manage the recruitment process and uphold a positive candidate experience -- and when a job is posted, instead of receiving 50 resumes, HR gets 300. This recession is a double-edged sword. There are top performers out there -- but it's harder to find them in the avalanche of resumes."
Palmer notes that a renewed focus on priorities can help HR manage the new realities of recruiting -- and Ceridian customers who use Ceridian Recruiting Automation and Pre-employment Screening are armed to face the challenges with confidence. "These are solutions that let you outsource all or part of the recruiting function in a way that is cost effective," Palmer says. "Time-starved HR professionals can better meet organizational expectations when they can post a position to multiple job boards without doing it manually, screen candidates with automated tools, and create a database of solid candidates. The cost savings accrue quickly."
Ceridian Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) solutions are especially valuable for companies that want to eliminate their fixed costs for recruiting and reduce cost-per-hire and time-to-fill, Palmer reports. "As part of our RPO services, Ceridian also does the headhunting, which dramatically reduces the cost of agencies."
Eventually, the dark cloud of the recession will lift. In the meantime, help your employees cope. Help your company keep costs low and prepare for the future. Take care of yourself, too, because everyone is depending on HR. And Ceridian is here to help.
