Key findings have been reported by a new Employment Law Alliance (ELA) poll, focusing on attitudes toward job security in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Contrary to popular perception, more than 60% of American workers are very confident that their employers are doing everything possible to avoid layoffs. Yet mixed feelings exist; workers are very anxious and extremely cautious about their job security.
So what does this mean for employers? While layoffs were mounting prior to September 11, the impact of those events, along with an economic downturn and workers' job security perceptions, tells us that employers need to communicate with their employees like never before.
The ELA's survey (of 1,000 working adult Americans) revealed:
- 61.6% are "very confident" employers are doing everything possible to avoid layoffs, while only 20.5% expressed only "some confidence"
- 8% lacked any confidence in their employers while 6.7% said they were not too confident that employers were doing everything possible to avoid cuts
- Slightly more people, 37.8% vs. 35.2%, believe that union jobs are more secure than non-union jobs. The vast majority of those polled hold non-union positions but still believe their union counterparts are better insulated from layoffs
- As for the relationship between the current international crisis and layoffs, 83.1% of the workers surveyed said they do not believe employers are using it as an excuse to impose or accelerate layoffs
- 76.4% of the workers polled said their employer has not recently laid off and isn't expected to do so over the next month
- Charts that help illustrate the survey results are available through www.employmentlawalliance.com
A union card is often seen as a ticket to job security, both in the public and private sectors. Obviously that belief has been shifting, but not so much that union membership is viewed as increasing the chances of being laid off.
It would behoove companies to focus not only on profitability and providing quality services and products, but also on the legal ramifications of employment-related decisions, including reductions in force and restructuring. Businesses must be extremely cautious when considering layoffs, and that just doesn't mean being in full compliance with laws and regulations. A compassionate approach, and understanding that being at war doesn't mean that workplace-related staffing regulations can be ignored, can increase productivity and mitigate your legal liability.
Ultimately economics will drive the need for companies to lay off their employees. It is important that employers communicate with their employees and share with them information about the financial health of the business. If a suffering economy forces companies to lay off all or part of their workforce, the employees then would have a greater understanding of the reasons why such drastic measures were taken.
Rosalee McNamara is a member of the ELA and an attorney at Lathrop & Gage in Kansas City, Mo. who regularly assists companies with employment issues. ELA is an integrated global practice network comprised of more than 70 premier, independent law firms distinguished for their practice in employment and labor law. There are members in every jurisdiction in the United States and numerous foreign countries.