Ask an HR Pro: How Can I Help Managers Communicate Company Strategies During a Recession?

The state of the economy is becoming more and more uncertain, and because of this, many companies are developing strategies to handle a recession. Whether it’s layoffs, budget reductions, or more, a lot of tough decisions need to be made by company leaders. Once those decisions have been made, though, you also need to make sure they’re properly communicated to your employees. But what is the best way to do that? And how can HR help managers provide accurate information in an acceptable way?

In this month’s Ask an HR Pro, we talked with Chrisanne Bowden, iHire Senior HR Consultant, to learn the best way to ensure managers are able to communicate company strategy effectively.

Navigating a Recession With Your Managers

Before you make any announcements to your employees, Bowden says you need to make sure your managers are able to handle any questions they might encounter.

“The first step you need to take when your organization is facing a looming recession is to do an honest assessment of your managers’ ability to communicate any news that may be challenging to share,” Bowden said. “Most likely employees will go directly to their manager to ask questions about the health of the company and how it may impact them, so your leaders need the right tools to be prepared. Otherwise, folks may fall into a ‘doom and gloom’ message or they might make too much light of the situation.”

Explain to your managers how your organization is navigating the recession, then try to determine how they would convey the information to your employees if they came to them with questions. If anything concerns you about their response, be sure to correct them with accurate and empathetic language.

“Let the managers know they need to be transparent, honest, and reassuring to the workforce when they have fears about the uncertain economy,” Bowden advised. “Begin by turning any meeting with management teams into an opportunity to be transparent, arming them with information both good and bad. Check for an understanding to be sure they have a clear picture of the health of the organization, then create a two-way dialogue so you can hear how they are delivering the information.”

Bowden also recommended creating talking points to help convey the most important bits.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have a PR or marketing leader provide managers with some scripted language that they can translate to their own style, yet remain consistent with the organization’s messaging.”

Support Managers From the Top

One of the best ways to support your managers is to make sure they’re not the only ones communicating company strategies in an uncertain economy. Bowden said that any high-level strategies should first come from your company’s executive team.

“Support your managers from the top by adding corporate-level communication as well,” Bowden recommended. “Cuts in spending, structural changes, pay freezes, or even layoffs will result in a lot of insecurity if your company leaders are not making your workers aware.”

If your senior leadership emphasizes that what’s being done is for the long-term health and stability of the organization, it will go a long way toward easing concerns.

For more HR advice from iHire’s experts, check out our Employer Resource Center. And if you are interested in HR support for your company’s communication strategy, iHire’s HR Services and Consulting can help.