Expert warns of ‘survivor syndrome’

-

Expert warns of 'survivor syndrome'An expert has urged employers to be wary of the impact that redundancies made as a result of budget cuts may have on those members of staff left behind.

Institute for Employment Studies HR research and consultancy director Peter Reilly explained that it is crucial for bosses to handle any layoffs sensitively and effectively, while maintaining morale among the remaining workforce.

"You've got to beware of survivor syndrome," he said. "You need to give attention to the fact that people who are going to remain are going to feel ill at ease."

Mr Reilly advised bosses to ensure they take care when selecting which workers are going to be laid off and collaborate closely with remaining employees to ensure that productivity does not suffer as a result of the subsequent uncertainty.

HRreview Logo

Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Keep up with the latest in HR...
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Optin_date
This field is hidden when viewing the form

 

Last week, the Forum of Private Business revealed that staffing problems and the impending redundancies are the biggest obstacles facing the owners of small to medium-sized enterprises.

Posted by Cameron Thomson

Latest news

Curtis Holmes: Payroll is the driver for employee engagement

Payroll has long been treated as a back-office necessity: essential, but not something that shapes culture or drives engagement. This no longer stands.

Labour market yet to show major AI impact on jobs, govt adviser says

A government economic adviser has challenged predictions of widespread AI-driven unemployment, arguing labour market data has yet to show disruption.

Young workers ‘pressured into signing NDAs after workplace injuries’

Workers say injuries are being hidden behind confidentiality agreements while financial pressures leave many afraid to challenge unsafe conditions.

CIPD recognises 30 HR leaders driving change across UK workplaces

The CIPD has unveiled its HR30 list for 2026, recognising senior people leaders whose work has delivered measurable impact across organisations and workforces.
- Advertisement -

Brits dream of being their own boss, but still cling to the monthly pay cheque, survey reveals

Britons say they like the idea of self-employment, but most still value the security and stability of traditional jobs.

AI Coaching Won’t Replace Managers. It Will Expose Coaching Debt.

As AI coaching expands, employers may gain a clearer view of where manager support is falling short.

Must read

Dr Marie Puybaraud: Three ways to create a sense of purpose in the workplace

Imagine a workplace where everyone is totally dedicated — not just to their work but also to their colleagues and to the culture and aims of the organisation. Imagine how creative and productive those people would be.

Gary Cattermole: The unlevel playing field

In the light of the decision by Goldman Sachs to allow unlimited holiday for senior executives and partners only, Gary Cattermole, looks at the knock-on effect of perceived unfairness on the levels of engagement among a workforce.
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you