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Redeploy Your Workforce During a Crisis

Times of crisis put leadership to the test. The window for initial action is small – be planful rather than giving in to knee-jerk reactions.

Layoffs are often the first cost-cutting option organizations resort to in times of crisis. However, during a crisis, many parts of an organization change frequently and rapidly, and all areas aren’t impacted in the same way. This presents an opportunity to redeploy employees to areas of need instead of laying them off, which will better position the organization to get back to normal once no longer in crisis mode.

Our Advice

Critical Insight

  • Employees are an organization’s greatest asset. When faced with cost-cutting pressures, look for redeployment opportunities that use talent as a resource to get through hard times before resorting to difficult layoff decisions.

Impact and Result

  • Make the most of your workforce in a time of crisis by following McLean & Company’s process to initiate employee redeployment efforts and reduce costs.

Redeploy Your Workforce During a Crisis Research & Tools

1. Meet with leadership

Set a strategy with senior leadership, brainstorm underused and understaffed employee segments and departments, then determine an approach to employee redeployments.

Redeploy Your Workforce During a Crisis Executive Briefing
Redeploy Your Workforce During a Crisis Storyboard
Standard SWOT Analysis Template
Redeployment and Layoff Strategy Workbook
Cost-Cutting Planning Tool
Termination Costing Tool

2. Plan individual and department redeployment

Collect key information, prepare and redeploy, and roll out information across the organization.

Short-Term Survival Segment Evaluation Tool
Skills Inventory for Redeployment Tool
Redeployment Action and Communication Plan
Redeployment Communication Roll-Up Template
Crisis Communication Guides

3. Monitor and manage departmental effectiveness

Monitor departmental performance, review organizational performance, and determine next steps.

About McLean & Company

McLean & Company is an HR research and advisory firm providing practical solutions to human resources challenges via executable research, tools, diagnostics, and advisory services that have a clear and measurable impact on your business.

What Is a Blueprint?

A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your HR problems.

Each blueprint can be accompanied by a Guided Implementation that provides you access to our world-class analysts to help you get through the project.

Need Extra Help?
Speak With An Analyst

Get the help you need in this 3-phase advisory process. You'll receive 5 touchpoints with our researchers, all included in your membership.

Guided Implementation 1: Meet With Leadership
  • Call 1: Plan to lead the leadership conversation around affected employee segments and action planning.
  • Call 2: Review redeployment process for departmental and functional leaders to follow.

Guided Implementation 2: Plan Individual and Department Redeployment
  • Call 1: Review high-level action plan to redeploy employees.
  • Call 2: Prepare communication, training, and support for redeployment initiatives.

Guided Implementation 3: Monitor and Manage Departmental Effectiveness
  • Call 1: Review organizational performance and determine next steps.

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