By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
Disclaimers are a difficult and sensitive topic that affects individuals and families. While companies sometimes have to make tough decisions, the way these decisions can be communicated to significantly affect those affected. Announcing redundancies by identifying “bad artists” is not only unprofessional but also extremely harmful.
Such messages lack empathy and demonstrate a fundamental misconception of the complexity of performance. To attribute job losses solely to individual deficiencies ignore systemic factors such as inadequate training, lack of resources, unclear expectations or perhaps a mismatch between employees’ skills and the role itself. These factors often play a significant role in the perceived “bad performance” and that addressing them proactively is a sign of good leadership. Sometimes they are used to hide management issues in organizations affecting financial results or changes in business direction.
Public labeling of individuals such as “bad artists” creates a toxic and scared working environment. It promotes distrust, discourages open communication and can affect the moral and productivity of the remaining employees. Furthermore, it can have long -term negative consequences for the dismissed, making it even more difficult for them to find new employment.
A more respectful and constructive approach is to hit layoffs with regard to business needs and restructuring. Focus on changes in the organization instead of blaming individuals. Offer support and resources to those affected, including severance packages, career counseling and outplacement services. Remember, this is people’s livelihood and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, even in difficult circumstances. For all their talk about striving for compassionate management, the language that some companies use additional damage.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2025
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About Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
People hire Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter to give no BS career counseling globally because he makes many things in people’s careers easier. These things can involve job search, hire more efficiently, manage and lead better, career transition and advice on solving workplace problems.
He hosts “No BS Job Search Advice Radio”, # 1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3000 episodes.
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