The Praying Mantis Approach
‘One of the best known aspects of praying mantis behavior is that the female will occasionally eat the male, especially; when she is undernourished’.
It seem that some businesses are reverting to the ‘praying mantis approach’ to dismissing their staff, such was the case for ‘Freshfields’ a London based Law Firm with offices worldwide. It would seem they weren’t dealing well with this issue, or should I say, ‘not dealing with them at all’.
I came across an article after following a link that was posted on twitter by one of my followers. There I discovered this article ‘Gruntled Employees’, “Please leave your layoff message after the beep”, written by Jay Shepherd of ‘The Shepherd Law Group’. I thought this was a poignant read and an incredibly insightful view into some business practices in today’s technological age.
What makes this dismissal different to the usual is the method in which they addressed it: ….they left 14 unlucky recipients a voicemail. Yes, you heard me correctly, they ‘voice mailed’ a ‘you’re fired’ message. I couldn’t believe what I was reading, had they lost their minds! As a business consultant I would never advise this kind of procedure. It’s a highly insensitive action, inappropriate and very disrespectful to all concerned, including those who are left to execute such action.
‘If you’ve achieved anything of value in life, it’s because you had others willing to help you obtain it” Chanty Lang-Vermaas
Once exposed, Freshfields made this statement: Quote: “Like most major law firms, Freshfields has had to trim its staff in response to the worldwide economic crisis’ unquote. O.k so thats not unrealistic, right? However, what makes this so unbelievable is that instead of the partners doing the deed, they staffed it out to the HR department!
Well, it would seem that doing the decent thing has become the most frightful tasks of all for some of us.
Are we fast declining in our interpersonal people skills and making excuses, by saying such ridiculous things, such as Freshfields response; Quote: “It was not ideal from our perspective, but we were trying to get the information out as soon as possible. We did not want to take the chance of them hearing first from someone else” Unquote.
(Certainly a PR prompted directive, probably to stave of any possible ensuing law suits from their now newly dismissed staff). I wouldn’t dismiss seeing new law suits coming from this kind of behavior in the future. I believe, laws will be amended to include such cases.
Were they delirious? Well, their staff did hear it from someone else……they heard it from the ‘HR’ department’ and not their Boss. I am sure these unfortunate 14 will now be viewing this insensitive action taken by the firm as no longer being ‘Freshfields’ but rather ‘Foulfields’ and that Boss now has a new meaning; ‘Benighted Outré Stolid & Stultified’.
As a community (especially the business sector), I believe we need to get some back bone and start being polite again! Whatever happened to good ol’ decent values, respect and one to one communication, especially in dealing with the most difficult tasks in life, such as redundancy? Whilst dismissing someone isn’t easy; we needn’t make it any harder to accept then necessary.
People view working for a business – company as offering them:
● Security ● Respect ● Validation ● Reliability ● Integrity ● Authenticity
During a dismissal people experience:
● Fear ● Betrayal ● Humiliation ● Anger ● Lack ● Grief; not dissimilar to losing a family member
When a dismissal occurs people require:
●Respectful notification ● Ability to be given closure ● Dignity left in place
I know how difficult it can be retrenching employees, however, being considerate and understanding needs to be strongly considered beforehand, as it goes a long way in helping to eliminate a potentially devastating life altering issue for some people, regardless of how uncomfortable it may be for those on the other side of the delivery.
Leaving people with their dignity, especially during difficult times, is a great resource for us all, and one that should be promptly taken in to consideration. If we are to serve as good examples of a well balanced and empowered society to the generations yet to follow; this will become imperative to our survival as a dignified and conscious race on earth.
“When you add value to another, you give substance to yourself” Chanty Lang-Vermaas
Until next time bring consciousness in your actions with others and you’ll be aptly graced.
Chanty
Hi Chanty, just wanted to say “great article”.
All the best
Gaz