Organizational Redesign

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)
This is the Iowa Department of Workforce Development website that explains this law and provides additional resources, including the U.S. Department of Labor site.

US Department of Labor Education and Training Administration
Information on Dislocated Worker program for workers, employers, and workforce development specialists.

"Layoff Survival Kit"
Various web sites providing information to employees about to be laid off or who have been laid off.

"Making the Most of Your Money," Jane Bryant Quinn (available from the State Library of Iowa)
Financial advice for those whose jobs may be impacted by layoff or changed economic conditions.

"Life After Layoff," John E. Thomsen, Frances C. Thomsen (available at bookstores)
Advice and coping assistance for those impacted by layoff.

"Healing the Wounds," David M. Noer, 1993 (available from the State Library of Iowa)
Author provides four-level process for handling layoffs and their effects. Also focuses on life after downsizing and revitalizing the organization.

DAS HRE/Personnel Development Seminars (PDS) course:
"Managing Stress Effectively," GI 019

Also see:
www.careercity.com
www.execpc.com (search on "layoffs")
www.findarticles.com (search on "layoffs")
www.layofflounge.com

return to top

Thrivenet.com
This Internet site is a more generic approach to survival.

"Revitalization after Downsizing: A Briefing for Leaders," Carolyn Turknett
Article written by an organizational consultant focusing on spending less time on the mechanics of the layoff and more on the layoff survivors.

"Managing the Workplace Survivors," Marvin R. Gottlieb, Lori Conkling, 1995 (available from Iowa State University; Rod Library - UNI; The University of Iowa Library; or bookstores)
"…explains how to convince the remaining workers to remain loyal to the company and increase their productivity to increase their productivity to make up for the losses."

return to top

"Boost Employee Morale After Layoffs," David LaRosee, Workforce.com (free user subscription may be required; search on title or author)
A few ideas for keeping layoff survivors reassured and motivated.

"Keeping Spirits Up When Times are Down," Shari Caudron, Workforce.com (free user subscription may be required; search on title or author)
Counteracting fear of the unknown to lower turnover and raise productivity, quality, and morale.

Driving Fear Out of the Workplace, Kathleen D. Ryan and Daniel K. Oestreich, 1991 (available from Iowa State University; Rod Library - UNI; State Library of Iowa; DMACC)
Discussion of how fear affects creativity and productivity and ways to address fear in the workplace.

return to top

"Change at Work," Peter Cappelli, et .al. (available from the State Library of Iowa)
From the cover: "In this important study - commissioned by the National Planning Association's Committee on New American Realities - the authors consider how individuals and employers need to adapt to the new arrangements as well as the implications for important policy issues such as how skills will be developed where the attachment to firms is sharply reduced."

"Better Change," The Price Waterhouse Change Integration Team (available from the State Library of Iowa)
From the cover: "…offers the insight and experience of some of the world's outstanding thought leaders on change…."

"Servicing the American Public: Best Practices in Downsizing," Downsizing Study Report, 1997
Report of the National Performance Review project, conducted under Vice President Al Gore.

"How High Can You Bounce?," Roger Crawford, 1999 (available from North Liberty Community Library; Perry Public Library)
Discusses resiliency. How some people regain their stability more quickly than others.

"The Survivor Personality: Why Some People are Stronger, Smarter, and More Skillful at Handling Life's Difficulties…And How You Can Be Too," Al Siebert, Ph.D., Bernie S. Siegel, 1996 (available at bookstores)

DAS HRE/Personnel Development Seminars (PDS) courses:
"Change Management," MC 302
"Working with Employees: A Counseling Approach," SC 213
"Human Relations Skills," SC 203

"Boost Employee Morale After Layoffs," David LaRosee, Workforce.com (free user subscription may be required; search on title or author)
A few ideas for layoff keeping layoff survivors reassured and motivated.

"Keeping Spirits Up When Times are Down," Shari Caudron, Workforce.com (free user subscription may be required; search on title or author)
Counteracting fear of the unknown to lower turnover and raise productivity, quality, and morale.

"Driving Fear Out of the Workplace," Kathleen D. Ryan and Daniel K. Oestreich, 1991 (available from Iowa State University; Rod Library - UNI; State Library of Iowa; DMACC)
Discussion of how fear affects creativity and productivity and ways to address fear in the workplace.

return to top

"Managing the Workplace Survivors, Marvin R. Gottlieb," Lori Conkling, 1995 (available from Iowa State University; Rod Library - UNI; The University of Iowa Library; or bookstores)
"…explains how to convince the remaining workers to remain loyal to the company and increase their productivity to make up for the losses."

"On the Contrary: Job Stress is in Job Design," Shari Caudron, Workforce.com (free user subscription may be required; search on title or author)
Improving work life and productivity isn't just in the benefits; it's in redesigning jobs to be less stressful.

return to top

"Study: Layoff Survivors' Lament," Porter Anderson, CNN.com
Provides a channel almost for mourning. Also addresses rumors, morale, communication strategy.

"Healing the Wounds," David M. Noer, 1993 (available from the State Library of Iowa)
Author provides four-level process for handling layoffs and their effects. Also focuses on life after downsizing and revitalizing the organization.

return to top