Jamie's Layoff Story

Welcome back!

We’re back from our summer break - and you’re back from enjoying your summer (or winter, for our Southern Hemisphere Besties) more relaxed and ready to jump right back into workplace stories - including one this week that is an HR Worstie. (And if you’ve ever survived a layoff, sat through a painfully scripted meeting, or just love a little HR tea, this one’s for you.)

We kick things off this week with Jamie’s very own layoff story, which didn’t just involve a mishandled conversation but also involved some unauthorized document “editing” by a senior leader. (Yes, you read that right.) Ashley even stopped mid-story to say, “I know people will ask if this is illegal,” which tells you everything about how next-level this “HR Don’t” really was.

• Intro Story – The HR Don’t to End All HR Don’ts: Jamie’s layoff story. You have to listen. (We won’t list our initial reactions here in case you’re getting it on your work email.)

• Corporate Cringe Speak: It’s the corporate equivalent of a shrug, usually paired with bad news. (Just know people’s reaction will be “is it really necessary?"!?”)

• Hot Topic – Layoffs & What to Do After: Layoffs aren’t just about the decision and meeting - so this episode is about everything that comes next. (Spoiler: Leigh lays truth about why layoffs can happen when a new leader starts.)

• Questions & Comments From an HR romance novel pitch inspired by summer headlines, to Leigh’s tips if you’ve been laid off.

Discussion Questions (for Your Team Meeting or Podcast Listening Club)

• How do you balance delivering a hard message without embarrassing an employee?

• If someone says something’s “necessary” but you don’t agree, how can you productively address that?

• If a former colleague, friend, or family member has been laid off, what’s something that’s actually helped them?

ChatGPT Prompts of the Week

Professional:

• What are things to absolutely not do in a layoff?

• Can you draft a follow-up message to remaining staff that acknowledges the layoff and sets a tone of real human care and what’s next?

Personal(ish):

• Write the first scene of an HR-themed romance novel where two people meet during a chaotic benefits open enrollment.

If you laughed, learned something or… just felt better knowing your HR stories aren’t the only wild ones out there, give us a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform. It’s free, it doesn’t take much time and it means we can spend less time on “breaks” and more time bringing you new business + BS every week.

Happy “HR Don’t” Wednesday,
Jamie, Leigh & Ashley.

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