Reducing staff numbers is one of the hardest jobs a manager has to do.  When you've got to know your team, having to single some of them out to tell them they no longer have a job can be really tough.  But it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom.  Follow these tips and you'll come through the other side with your employees' respect intact. 

• Have a sound business reason for making reductions - the stronger your argument, the easier it will be for your team to understand and accept

• Communicate fully and regularly with your team, as a group, individually and in writing, even with individuals you know are not likely to lose their job.  From the employee's perspective, no news is NOT good news. 

• Involve your employees.  They may well think of alternatives that you didn't.  Don't assume that they don't understand your big picture, you ... Read more