Blog Post 288-311

Termination of Employment:

Johnny is the southeastern regional controller of the Toys “R” Us company.  Due to several consecutive quarterly losses, the company is forced to close down one of the store locations.  The closing of this store will cost many workers to lose their jobs as a result, which includes managers, clerks, maintenance workers, and security guards.  Johnny needs to deliver the hard news to all of the workers who will soon be laid off in the best manner possible.  While constructing this message, there are several things that Johnny must keep in mind before sending out the bad to prevent the least amount of harm, damage, outrage, and shock from all of the workers.

Solution:

Johnny should deliver the news with a message that begins with a buffer to start off sounding somewhat positive and to convey appreciation.  Then start easing into the bad news to not be blunt and harsh.  After telling the workers the bad news, Johnny should clearly lay out the reasons for termination, which would be the unprofitability of the store, which is causing huge losses for the company.  The best medium for this message would have to be in person.

Rejection of Job Applicant:

BB&T recently just opened a new major branch in Charlotte’s uptown area.  This new branch attracted hundreds of applicants for the bank teller positions that are now currently available.  However, there are only a limited number of positions that can be given out.  The vast majority of the applicants will have to be turned down even though they may have many appealing qualities and qualifications.  The newly appointed managers of the BB&T branch will have to come up with a way to appropriately turn down these applicants.

Solution:

BB&T should send the applicants a message that conveys appreciation for expressing interest in the company.  BB&T should not give exact reasons for not being chosen and they should not say that they will review the applicant again in the future.  BB&T should also end the message with wishes for success in the future for the applicant and be as polite as possible.

- In what other ways could the situations mentioned above be handled? Which one would prove to be the most effective?