6 Expert Tips to Maintain Productivity During Hiring Freeze
Working with a team to increase the productivity of the organization is crucial at any point of time, but it becomes extremely important during a hiring freeze. It is always a difficult thing to deal with. Imagine how tough it would be to get the job done if won’t have any new members to add to your team.
Breaking Down ‘Hiring Freeze’
A hiring freeze is a phase when an organization temporarily stops non-essential hiring due to financial stress to reduce the overall administration costs. It can happen to a struggling or a big company in certain events of a sudden economic downturn, recession, product failure, etc.
A hiring freeze can put pressure on existing employees which can, in turn, affect the overall productivity. Here are some expert tips that can help your company and the employees to evade the stress.
6 Essential Tips to Maintain Productivity During Hiring Freeze
1. Take Care of the Employees and Acknowledge Uncertainties
It’s obvious that the employees will have a fear of layoffs or the company being in financial trouble once they hear about a partial or complete hiring freeze. All this will also lead to stress, reduced morale, uncertainty and an overall reduction in productivity as well.
Employers at this stage must ensure that productivity is not getting declined and put in efforts to maintain the productivity. Yes, it’s hard and moreover what’s harder is to know what the employees’ fears are? So, to know all that an employer could conduct one-on-one meetings, hall meetings, team meetings to know what exactly an employee is stressed about.
Sometimes the employee might not speak face to face, so you can create a page on social media where the employees can put in their questions and get the resolution. This will help in building a strong bond and trust in the employers and they will never hesitate in sharing their problems.
2. Keep Motivation to Achieve Common Goals
You may have removed the uncertainty yet there can be chances of reduced productivity. It’s the time for your business to create common goals that the managers and staff can work on. This will inspire and motivate employees to perform better. It is important as it will engage the employees in achieving the goals and will help in increasing the overall productivity.
3. Commitment from Team Leaders
Employees always look up to their team leaders and seniors and react to the situation accordingly. If they see them giving extra, they get inspired and do the same. It is similar to the reverse scenario if the leaders/seniors are seen showing fear, anxiety or low morale this will damage the morale and spirit of the team. So, make sure that the leaders are dedicated and committed towards the cause.
4. New Goals Whenever Necessary
During a hiring freeze, there are many adjustments to commercial goals. Therefore, according to the new business environment, the employees’ target should be adjusted and realigned. If not, the operations may go haywire which will result in a productivity drop, and nobody wants that in the organization.
5. Space for Innovation and Creativity
Innovation is the key component of productivity. So, the company that wants to raise or maintain productivity at the time of hiring freeze must think of innovative interventions. Employers should hold brainstorming sessions or make use of social media tools to let employees think of new ideas that can help in improving business processes. Also, create an environment where employees do not hesitate in coming up with ideas and putting them forward.
6. Appreciate Efforts
A staff recognition program should always be there. But, during the hiring freeze phase, it should be double or bigger than the usual. To enhance the performance of the employee, you must enhance the level of awards. You can double the gift vouchers, this will give the employee an extra motive to perform extra and will also help in increasing productivity during the difficult period.
The organization should always indulge in innovation and be strategizing during a hiring freeze to maintain the morale of the existing employees. These tips could help you to cut cost and maintain productivity even if you cannot hire new employees.
Follow us on our Facebook Community and show us some love!