Good practice: Supporting redundancy survivors

On this page:
Summary
Case study
Questions and answers
Overview
The importance of supporting redundancy survivors
Why employees develop survivor syndrome
Conducting a fair and effective redundancy programme
Acknowledging the employees who remain
Providing practical support
Measuring success in avoiding survivor syndrome

Summary

1.1

• "Survivor syndrome" is an emotional reaction to redundancies experienced by those who remain with the organisation. As it can have a significant impact on their work performance, it can have negative consequences for the employer. (See 1.3 The importance of supporting redundancy survivors)
• Incidences of survivor syndrome can be reduced if employers ensure that they manage redundancies fairly and objectively. (See 1.5 Conducting a fair and effective redundancy programme)
• Providing support to the surviving employees will also help reduce the likelihood of survivor syndrome developing. (See 1.6 Acknowledging the employees who remain and 1.7 Providing practical support)

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Overview

1.2 This section of the XpertHR good practice manual discusses supporting redundancy survivors, including why employees develop survivor syndrome, the importance of a fair and effective redundancy programme, and providing practical support.

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The importance of supporting redundancy survivors

1.3 A redundancy exercise is likely to have an impact on everyone associated with it, including the members of staff who remain with the organisation - the survivors - who will be at risk of developing survivor syndrome.