Connect with us

Business

Top 4 Tips for Breaking Bad News to Employees

Delivering bad news is one of the toughest tasks that managers have to face. Bad news comes in many forms, including communicating poor employee performance, bad financial situations, expected layoffs and many other topics that aren’t easy to deal with. On the face of it, the truth might seem quite difficult to convey. However, it is the anxiety that the bad news is likely to generate and the likelihood that employees might not receive the news well that concerns most people. Employees will judge your management skills according to your actions. If you haven’t, for example, acquired a business management degree online, it will be important that you know how to handle the bad times just as well as the good times to avoid sabotaging employee productivity in the future.
Top 4 Tips for Breaking Bad News to Employees
How to be an effective bearer of difficult news 
1.     Consider your timing and medium 
Being a bearer of bad news is very unpleasant. However, breaking the news in the wrong way or at the wrong time makes it even worse. Many managers nowadays prefer to relay bad news via email. Even though it might not be easy to look at your employees in the eyes and give them bad news, communicating bad news via email is quite cowardly. When and how you deliver your message makes the difference. So, how can you do it right?
The right medium

  • When handling one-on-one situations, you should invite a human resources representative or other relevant person to be present in the room.
  • If you are intending to make a large announcement affecting several employees, it is advisable to first break the affected employees into smaller groups, and relay the bad news to each of these groups separately. Engaging smaller groups is particularly ideal for situations where you allow the employees to ask questions or vent their frustrations.
  • Under certain circumstances, it would be wise to break the news to all the employees at once – there’s no need for smaller groups. A large group setting allows you to relay the bad news to everyone, hence leaving little room for speculation, false information, and rumors.

The right timing  
The right time to deliver bad news usually depends on the kind of situation you are facing. For instance, the ideal time for big company-wide announcements is in the late hours, on the days towards the end of the week. However, issues such as letting go an employee caught stealing should be done when the day starts – seeing a colleague being escorted out of the building will serve as a warning to the rest.
2.    Avoid procrastination 
It is common to find managers waiting for the last possible minute to convey bad news to their employees, with the hope that something might come up that would make it unnecessary to convey the news or at least make it less severe. Unfortunately, this procrastination only serves to exasperate your employees and cause unnecessary tension. Addressing the issue quickly enables your workers to deal with the situation and move forward.
3.    Prepare adequately 
Bad news is usually just as hard on the person relaying the message, as it is on the person receiving it. For this reason, you must ensure that you are in control of your own emotions, regarding the news, before you can try passing it on to others.
4.    Ensure you deliver the message clearly and directly  
You should avoid giving hints and unnecessary explanations when delivering bad news. In addition, ensure that you are as direct as possible – don’t be evasive or use a soft tone in order to lessen the impact. Sugar-coating the message or giving out too much information may lead to the employees misunderstanding the real intention of the message.

Continue Reading

Recent Posts

Autos20 hours ago

In a Car Accident? Here’s How to Find a Great Lawyer

If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you know that it can be an overwhelming experience. Not only do...

Education2 days ago

Considering Therapy? Here’s a Few Common Therapy Techniques Explained

If you’re considering therapy as a means to improve your mental health, you may be curious about the type of...

home repairs home repairs
Home Improvement3 days ago

Top 5 Home Repairs You Should Never DIY

DIY home repairs are all the rage these days. But before you jump on the bandwagon, there are some things...

Health2 weeks ago

The Power of CBD Oil for Relaxation: How to Use it for Sleep and Stress Relief

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep or feeling stressed, try CBD oil. CBD oil has a moment...

General2 weeks ago

Benefits of Getting your Mobile Phone Repair

Mobile phone repair is a task that needs high skills and experience. That is why we always recommend users trust...

Home Improvement2 weeks ago

Great Ways To Clean To Get Your Security Deposit Back In Full

Moving is almost always stressful as there are tons of things to plan and do. Getting your security deposit back...

Home Improvement2 weeks ago

DIY Garage Door Repair: Tips and Tricks for Fixing Common Problems and Maintaining Your System

If your garage door needs to be fixed, wait to call a repairer. Many common problems can be fixed quickly...

Education3 weeks ago

7 Tips to Choosing the Right University for You

Are you considering continuing your education at university? If so, it can be overwhelming to decide which school is right...

Finance4 weeks ago

3 Ways Loans from Credit Unions Are Different From Major Banks

If you’re in the loan market, you may wonder if a credit union is the right choice. Here are three...

Food1 month ago

The World of Coffee: Exploring the Aromas, Flavors, and Benefits of the World’s Most Popular Beverage

Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages, enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s also one...

Education2 months ago

New Driver? 5 Things to Consider When Looking for Driving School

When it comes to choosing a driving school, there are many factors to consider. Not all driving schools are created...

Home Improvement2 months ago

Landscape Irrigation Systems: The Basics

If you’re a homeowner, you know that keeping your lawn and landscaping looking nice can be a lot of work....

Travel2 months ago

5 Things to Look for in Luxury Hotels

When it comes to luxury hotels, there is a lot to look out for. Here are five key things that...

Home Improvement2 months ago

Is There a Difference Between Commercial and Residential Concrete?

If you’re a contractor, you know that concrete is a versatile construction material. But did you know that there are...

Law2 months ago

5 Tips to Find the Right Litigation Firm

When it comes to selecting the right litigation firm for your legal needs, choosing wisely is of utmost importance. It’s...

Categories

Archives

Trending