Whether it is technological disruption, changes in market, or loss of business, organizations first response to any unknown situation and uncertain future is layoffs.
In a survey conducted in 2000 by Mckinsey, it was found that from 2008 to 2011 during world recession and after that 65% organizations experienced layoffs. It shows that organizations are opting for layoffs at increasing pace.
There are many reasons for layoff within an organization and it’s important for employees to know these reasons. Knowing these reasons help them to understand the context and get prepared for next job or find new opportunities.
Knowing the right reasons and accepting reality of layoffs, help them to reduce their negative emotions, prevent misunderstanding or resentment. It also gives an opportunity to assess weakness and potential areas of improvement for further advancement in career.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss what is layoff and top 15 reasons for layoffs within an organization so that employees and workers have better understanding of similar situations if they face in their organizations.
What is a layoff?
A layoff is permanent or temporary dismissal of employment of an employee for reasons that are not related to employee’s performance. Organizations choose to reduce their workforce through layoffs when there is an inability to pay salaries or wages or a decrease in business or a restructuring of roles and responsibilities.
Layoffs can be temporary or permanent depending on what is the driving force behind layoffs.
Temporary layoffs may occur when an organization experiences a temporary termination in employment and expects to rehire its employees once specific situation improves. Whereas permanent layoffs may occur when an organization is not going to rehire affected employees.
Whether it is temporary or permanent, it is always hard decision and stressful experience for both the employees and organization. Its duty of leadership to motivate their employees during layoffs and help them navigate through these tough times.
The Top 15 reasons for layoffs
Here are some common reasons for layoffs within an organization:
1. Financial difficulties
The first and foremost reason of layoffs is financial difficulties. If an organization is struggling with its financial situation, then it naturally resorts to layoffs to reduce its cost and stay alive. Since salaries is a big chunk of business operations that’s why leadership always find a solution of their financial difficulties in layoffs.
There are variety of factors that cause financial difficulties such as decline in sales, increased competition, high operational cost, external economic downturns etc. Whatever the reason is every organization wants to remain profitable and that’s why it decides to layoff to cover its expenses and also earn profit even in tough situation.
Financial difficulties may be short term so layoffs may also be temporary and if these difficulties are permanent then organizations go for permanent layoffs.
2. Restructuring
Restructuring is a process that involves changes in organizational structure in order to improve its performance and ensure alignment with mission objectives. Restructuring is about creating new positions and roles, eliminating old one, merging departments, replacing old process and functions with new ones. There are many reasons of organizational restructuring but its aim is to streamline operations, increase efficiency and reduce cost.
Restructuring does affect employees as it identifies that certain roles and positions are no longer needed or can be eliminated then organization may go for layoffs. Also, if the restructuring demands merging of different departments, then it results into layoffs. So restructuring is one of main reasons for layoff within an organization.
3. Organizational relocation
Organizations usually relocate in order to be closer to its customers and clients to improve sales and business. And above all, relocation is made to reduce operational cost. Whatever the reasons of relocation, it often causes layoffs. When an organization moves to a new location that is too far for some employees to commute to, then an organization may need to lay off its employee who are unable to relocate at new official location.
4. Change in market demand
Changes in market demand can result into organizational layoffs if the demand for products or services declines. When an organization’s sales decline, it may need to reduce its expenses in order to stay profitable. One way it can do this is by laying off employees.
Layoffs may be temporary if the organization expects the decline in demand to be short-term and plans to rehire employees once demand improves. However, if the decline in demand is expected to be permanent, the layoffs may also be permanent.
5. Business closing
If an organization closes its business permanently, it will likely result in layoffs for all of its employees. When an organization decides to close its doors, it will typically go through a process of winding down its operations and liquidating its assets. This may involve selling off equipment, real estate, and other assets. As part of this process, thatorganization will need to lay off its employees.
6. Cost-reducing measures
Cost-reducing measures can sometimes result in layoffs. When an organization faces financial hardships, it may implement cost-cutting measures in order to reduce its expenses. These measures can include layoffs, as well as other actions such as reducing employee benefits, cutting travel expenses, and outsourcing certain functions. Cost-cutting measures are often implemented as a last resort, after other options have been exhausted, and are intended to be temporary until the organization’s financial situation gets better.
7. Technological advances
Technological advances often make certain jobs obsolete or if it allows an organization to perform the same work with fewer employees. For example, if an organization introduces new automation technology that can perform tasks that were previously done by human workers, it may lay off the employees who were performing those tasks. Similarly, if an organization introduces new software or systems that allow it to streamline its operations and reduce the need for certain types of employees, it may lay off those employees as a result.
8. Mergers and acquisition
Merger is defined as when two organizations combine their operations into one organization. Two organizations may merger to increase their services, minimize their tax burden, reduce competition and maximize profits. In many cases, there may be overlap in job roles or duplication of functions between the two organizations. In order to streamline operations and eliminate duplication, the combined organization may need to lay off some employees. This is because the organization may only need one person to perform a particular role, rather than two people from the separate organizations.
When an organization is purchased by another organization it is called an acquisition. An acquisition there is change in leadership and there is always change in organizational policies which may cause layoffs for some employees. New leadership may decides to eliminate certain departments and functions that are no longer necessary. Additionally, if an acquisition results in financial difficulties for the combined organization, layoffs may be implemented as a cost-cutting measure.
9. Decreased operations
If an organization experiences a decrease in business operations, it may be forced to lay off employees in order to reduce costs and remain financially viable. This can happen if the organization experiences a decline in demand for its products or services, or if it faces increased competition that makes it difficult to sustain its current level of operations.
In order to stay afloat, the organization may need to reduce its workforce in order to better match its expenses with its reduced level of revenue. Layoffs may be temporary if the organization expects the decline in business to be short-term and plans to rehire employees once business improves. However, if the decline in business is expected to be permanent, the layoffs may also be permanent.
10. Outsourcing work
Outsourcing refers to the practice of hiring an external company or contractor or consultant to perform a function or work that was previously performed by in-house employees. Organizations may choose to outsource certain functions in order to reduce costs, gain access to specialized expertise, or increase efficiency.
If an organization decides to outsource a function that is currently being performed by in-house employees, it may lay off those employees as a result.
Layoffs may also occur if the organization decides to outsource a function that was previously performed by a different company, and the employees of that company are not retained by the organization. In these cases, the organization may choose to lay off the affected employees rather than transfer them to a different role within the organization.
11. Seasonality
Seasonality can be one of reasons for layoffs within an organization. For example, an organization that sells winter sports equipment may experience a decline in demand for its products during the summer months. In this case, the organization may need to reduce its workforce during the slower season in order to align its expenses with its reduced level of revenue.
Seasonal layoffs can be temporary, with the organization rehiring employees once business picks up again. In some cases, an organization may offer seasonal employees the opportunity to return to work in the same or a similar role the following year.
It is not necessary that all organizations are impacted by seasonality to the same degree. Some companies may experience relatively stable demand for their products or services throughout the year, while others may be more heavily impacted by changes in the seasons.
12. Project termination
If an organization has a project that is suddenly cancelled, it may need to lay off the employees who were working on that project. This can be particularly common in industries such as construction or consulting, where an organization may have a project that is cancelled before it is completed.
Project termination can be caused by a variety of factors, such as changes in the client’s needs or budget, delays in obtaining necessary approvals or permits, or changes in market conditions. If an organization is unable to find new projects to replace the cancelled one, it may need to lay off the employees who were working on the cancelled project.
13. Change in leadership
If a new CEO or leadership team takes over an organization, they may choose to implement layoffs as part of their efforts to make structural change within organization. The new leaders may have different priorities or strategies for the organization, and they may decide that the current workforce is not aligned with organizational objectives. As a result, they may choose to lay off certain employees and hire new ones who are more closely aligned with the new strategic direction of the organization.
14. Offshoring
Offshoring refers to the practice of outsourcing work to a company or contractor in a foreign country, typically in order to take advantage of lower workforcecosts. If an organization decides to offshore a function that is currently being performed by in-house employees, it may lay off those employees as a result.
Layoffs may also occur if the organization decides to offshore a function that was previously performed by a different company, and the employees of that company are not retained by the organization. In these cases, the organization may choose to lay off the affected employees rather than transfer them to a different role within the organization.
15. Legal and regulatory issues
legal or regulatory issues can sometimes result in layoffs within an organization. If an organization is found to be in violation of a law or regulation, it may be required to lay off employees as part of a settlement or remedy. For example, if an organization is found to be in violation of environmental regulations, it may be required to reduce its workforce as part of the settlement.
Additionally, if an organization is facing legal challenges or disputes, it may choose to lay off employees in order to reduce its expenses and preserve its financial resources. Legal issues and disputes can be costly, and an organization may need to cut costs in order to afford the legal fees and other costs associated with the matter.
Final words
Layoffs has been very common in organizations nowadays for varied reasons. Knowing reasons of layoffs is important for both employees as well as employers. It helps both employer and employees to embrace the reality, make right assessment of this ugly situation and find way forward without going into mental trauma and anxiety.
