The Inside Job

Managers' Health Affected By Layoffs

By Liz Wolgemuth

Posted: April 27, 2009

The public's sympathy for the distress caused by layoffs tends to be directed, understandably, toward the workers who are losing their jobs. But the act of handing out layoff notices, or of picking the workers to be laid off, is no picnic.

A decade-long study of line managers at Boeing found the long-term side effects of laying off workers can include "sleep problems, emotional exhaustion and dizziness," according to a report in Human Resource Executive.

These so-called "layoff agents" were reported to have been distancing themselves emotionally from workers--they felt they had become "calloused" and desired to tune out. They were also found to have higher rates of stress, depression and emotional exhaustion, HRE reports.  

johnny

people like you are why our country sucks a** I bet you were a union auto worker and squandered your $75 an hour.

Justin of CT @ May 18, 2009 21:52:42 PM

Depressing Fact

The main manager at my job came out of a meeting earlier this year feeling distraught because the bank wants to cut all the consultants. He managed to make a deal, cutting our hours to 32, and of course, laying off less than five employees. Not many manager can do what he did. Let alone care about consultants.

THANK GO FOR PEOPLE LIKE HIM.

WILLIAM CADENILLA of ChowJobs of NY @ May 03, 2009 20:50:28 PM

@Johnny

Hm.

In many companies, the managers who are delivering the message had nothing to do with the decision.

Sometimes, too, when whole groups are shut down, the manager has to tell her employees, while she is herself being laid off too.

And who will hire you, with that attitude?

Barry Leiba of NY @ Apr 28, 2009 21:44:37 PM

Add Your Thoughts
About You

advertisement

The Inside Job

The Inside Job

You're taking a break from your job-hunting and job-hopping ways and have decided to stay put in your current position. Liz Wolgemuth’s careers blog will show you how to make the very best of your job, each day.

advertisement

advertisement

Subscribe

U.S. News Digital Weekly

A weekly insider's guide to politics and policy — in a multimedia, digital format. 52 issues for $19.95!

U.S. News & World Report

6 months of U.S. News & World Report's print edition for only $15. Save up to 67% off the cover price!