Ecopreneurs - Planters Development Bank

22
SME COMmunity PHilippines
companies that recently faced the tough
choices of letting some people go to ensure
business survival or closing shop.
The trauma and uncertainty is very
heartfelt by employees who have families
to feed and kids to send to school.
Hence, entrepreneurs need to make employees’
separation from their jobs as
smooth as possible, giving those whose
jobs are axed a graceful exit, thereby allowing
them to move on with their lives
and without ill feeling towards your
company.
Tell the truth
W hatever the size of your company,
it is important that the employees understand
why the work force will be reduced
and how large a head cut it will
be. They have to appreciate that the
reduction does not have anything to do
with their track record.
Times like this strongly call for dialogue
with employees, so that they can
express their sentiments about the situation.
Talking is good, and listening is a
virtue. This allows employees to prepare
psychologically for the inevitable,
should the axe fall on their jobs. This
also provides them lead time to seek out
and send their resumes to companies
that are still hiring.
Help employees prepare
their resumés
Many rank and file workers do not
know how to present themselves on paper
and make themselves appealing to a
prospective employer. This is a service
that you can readily extend to them.
Focus on the expertise that your employees
gained in your company. This
will go a long way in helping market
their services, especially if they gained
novel or specialized skills.
Prepare a letter of recommendation
for each one so that the prospective
employer can further appreciate how
the laid off staff is valued by your company.
Help them find new employers
For the larger companies where at least
100 employees get the pink slip, the task
of writing to or calling up possible new
employers for these people is recommended.
If this proves to be too tedious
for your human resource team, a viable
option is to tap job fair organizers. Job
fairs are either created by local government
units, industry groups like the
business process outsourcing (BPO)
firms, or the fast food and retail service
associations.
Smaller-sized companies can also
make an extra effort by networking
with other firms within their industry,
or by recommending their people to
other industries that are still expanding
their work force.
Teach them how to manage
their finances
Whether a departing employee has
been in the company for less than a year
or several years, the separation package
they will receive must be handled properly.
Some companies have tapped the local
academe or their bankers to provide
departing employees with skills to manage
their finances until they are able to
land new jobs or go into small business.
It is your social responsibility to
help employees shift to conservative
lifestyles and mindsets while they wait
for better times to return.
Help them secure a loan
from the SSS
Given their contributions to the SSS
through their service period, it is a good
idea that they be encouraged to apply
for salary loans to tide them over while
they are seeking out a new job. Payment
of the loan can begin after they are gainfully
employed.
Propose entrepreneurship
as an alternative
It is a truism that many in the work
force derive extra income from a sideline.
Others do not realize that skills
like baking, doing laundry and ironing,
sewing, or mechanical expertise can be
the starting point for self-employment.
All they have to do is see the opportunity
which they can explore and exploit so
that they can earn more than the daily
minimum wage.
They need to clearly appreciate that
starting a small business is a challenge,
but a rewarding experience if done
right. They need to be committed and
passionate for attaining the success
they dream of. As they say, “if you cannot
find a job, create a job”.
A small family operated barbecue
stand in a good high traffic location for
example can generate a daily gross sales
of at least Php 7,500.00 and post a 30%
net profit.
Those who are going to be retrenched
can either start up a business
as a sole proprietor, or given their coworker
friends, pool their financial resources
together to form a partnership
or even a formal corporation.
If employees own some farmland
in the province, particularly here in
Luzon, they can consider returning to
their country roots to grow rice, high
value crops or be a commercial animal
raiser. They can set up a stall in the
nearest wet market to sell their farm
produce and earn a lot more than their
minimum wage that you pay them. Or
they can directly supply an industrial
consumer like the hotels and restaurants.
As a finale, those companies who
forecast that they can remain in business
albeit in survival mode can assure
that their former employees will be first
in line for jobs when conditions improve.
This will be a very comforting
thought.
Trust me. This will gain you a lot of
good graces from the Creator above.