Survivor syndrome | Staff are terrified about layoffs, and HR needs to act

This week, it was confirmed that John Lewis is planning on cutting 11,000 jobs from its 76,000 workforce across the UK. News of the cuts made national headlines and whilst readers will be sad to hear the news, it’s largely unsurprising.

This is because headlines around huge slashes to headcounts are, regrettably, a part of modern life. Some industries have been hit worse than others. The tech sector, which took a beating in 2023, has continued to reduce numbers into the new year – however it seems that as a result of a rocky economy and much uncertainty, nearly all areas of business are perpetuating the same trend.

We’ve talked a lot, on HR Grapevine, about the cause of cuts, and the best practice when enforcing them is unavoidable. Yet one area that HR needs to get to grips with is still due some consideration; the effect on the remaining workforce.

According to research from My Perfect Resume’s 2024 Workplace Trends Survey, a massive 85% of workers are currently anxious about the prospect of losing their jobs in 2024. In addition to this vast number, 50% report feeling at least ‘a little worried’ and 35% say that they are ‘definitely’ worried. In short, the majority of your workforce don’t feel stable in their current role.