Recent federal layoffs are sending shockwaves far beyond government agencies, impacting the private sector as it takes on displaced workers. With ongoing legal battles and unclear operations, the federal government’s reputation as a reliable employer is taking a hit.

In this week’s HR Query, we’re sharing insights from Neil Costa, Founder & CEO of HireClix, a recruitment marketing agency. Costa offers his unique view on how to fix your company’s brand after layoffs and what HR leaders can learn from the government’s challenges. Read on to discover how to handle layoffs and tight budgets while still keeping the promises you made to your employees.

Layoffs Hit Hard: How to Rebuild Trust Inside Your Company

Layoffs seem to be everywhere these days, and when they happen, trust often takes a big hit. So, what should HR professionals do first to win back confidence from their remaining team?

Costa’s Take? The very first step is simple: be transparent.

“Leaders need to distinctly communicate the business rationale behind layoffs and what changes employees can expect moving forward,” Costa explains. But just talking isn’t enough. Organizations must show they are stable by reminding teams of their shared values, offering support, and, most importantly, acting consistently every single day.

“When leaders don’t face the post-layoff situation directly, silent problems start to grow,” he adds, noting that productivity drops, employees become less engaged, and your company’s reputation as a good place to work quietly weakens. “This damage can be hard to spot until it’s too late. If you’re not actively working to rebuild trust inside your company, you’re secretly losing ground in the competition for top talent.”

In the worst cases, these problems can even hit a company’s bottom line. In fact, 81% of employees who stay after layoffs say that customer service gets worse. This shows just how crucial it is to get rebuilding right.

“Authentic” can sometimes be a buzzword companies use to describe their culture. What are some creative ways to go beyond the buzz, weaving in authenticity consistently to show up in employer brand and across touchpoints like social, job posts, and interviews?

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Read the full article here.