[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Eleanor-Morale-scaled-1.jpg” custom_margin=”||91px|||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”223px|0px|118px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Sans||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”72″ text_line_height=”1.1em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”620px” custom_margin=”45px||24px|-69px” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”52″ text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
How Can Public Sector Employers Improve Morale in the Face of Mass Layoffs?<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-88px|||||” custom_padding=”3px|0px|24.6719px|0px||” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”1200px” custom_padding=”0||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” custom_padding_phone=”” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Eleanor-Hecks-business-writer-1-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Eleanor Hecks business writer (1)” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ custom_margin=”||5px|||” animation=”off” sticky=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_text_color=”#02b875″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.2em” header_text_color=”#000000″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n ELEANOR HECKS<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||on||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”16″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”10px||60px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Eleanor Hecks is a senior HR and business writer at Designerly Magazine. After growing up with parents who both worked in the public sector, Eleanor is passionate about specifically applying her insights to those in the government and education professions. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow Designerly on X for business and design insights.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”24″ text_line_height=”1.5em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”720px” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_padding=”||14px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Recent mass layoffs of public-sector employees have many people worried that their jobs will be next. The stress of wondering which paycheck might be their last can impact people\u2019s morale and job performance. By encouraging your staff to maintain a positive attitude in the face of drastic changes, you ensure they can continue succeeding in their current roles and be ready to take their careers in a new direction if necessary.<\/p>\n Employees may need their spirits lifted even if they escape a pink slip. Managers must put themselves in their team members\u2019 shoes. On top of the widespread fear of sudden layoffs, the environment will change drastically as people leave and take their institutional knowledge with them. Feeling deflated is a natural response, but leaders can manage it with a few techniques.<\/p>\n Many of the 450,000 federal employees<\/a> in the Washington, D.C., area face the looming threat of unemployment. Some are already dealing with trauma from losing their jobs or the possibility of a future layoff. Encourage workers to seek mental health counseling if overwhelming worries cause them to struggle with daily tasks or they must deal with the challenges of a sudden job loss.<\/p>\n Talk to human resources about what\u2019s available to help recently laid-off people find new opportunities. Talk to your higher-ups about offering severance packages or other unemployment benefits. State government agencies sometimes provide career guidance, training and job hunting support.<\/p>\n The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund offers zero-interest loans to help workers through financial hardship. Advise people on using the loan to get job training or pay their bills until they find a new position.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f7f7f4″ min_height=”721px” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” make_fullwidth=”on” custom_width_px=”680px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-6-scaled-1.jpg” alt=”A man sits with his head bowed and hand covering his face, looking distressed. A woman in the foreground gently touches his arm for support, while another man sits nearby, watching with concern in this DEI-focused moment of empathy.” title_text=”A man sits with his head bowed and hand covering his face, looking distressed. A woman in the foreground gently touches his arm for support, while another man sits nearby, watching with concern in this DEI-focused moment of empathy.” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ custom_margin=”-39px|||||” animation=”off” sticky=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#efefe9″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-4-scaled-1.jpg” alt=”A man sits with his head bowed and hand covering his face, looking distressed. A woman in the foreground gently touches his arm for support, while another man sits nearby, watching with concern in this DEI-focused moment of empathy.” title_text=”Confident,Mature,Business,Professional,Woman,Talking,To,Younger,Female,Colleague” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ custom_margin=”-40px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” animation=”off” sticky=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#818178″ text_font_size=”24″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20%|10%||10%” custom_margin_tablet=”0.7%|10%||10%||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Your actions can build a resilient, confident group. When the layoffs stop and the dust settles, you\u2019ll have a team that has each other\u2019s backs and is enthusiastic about getting to work.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_text_color=”#888888″ text_font_size=”12″ text_letter_spacing=”2px” text_line_height=”1.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||20%|” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n ELEANOR HECKS<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”1200px” custom_padding=”20px||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” custom_padding_phone=”” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”9px||0px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”-142px||0px|||” custom_margin_phone=”-75px||0px|||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n All workers benefit when their leaders set an optimistic tone. Start with a five-minute meeting every morning where you cheer on the group and ensure everyone is on the same page. If you notice anyone lagging behind or seeming upset, discreetly pull them aside and ask what they need from you.<\/p>\n Lift up your team by celebrating their accomplishments. While you might not be able to prevent every layoff, you can exude enough positive energy to motivate workers to do their best in the present.<\/p>\n Though a pleasant atmosphere doesn\u2019t replace a well-paying job, it can make people happier. Look for ways to bring light and color into the office to boost morale. Place a live plant or a vase of fresh flowers to the reception desk.<\/p>\n Providing ample bright l<\/a>ights affect m<\/a>ood<\/a> and can improve people\u2019s circadian rhythms, which leads to better sleep and attitudes. Further, allowing your team members to add a few personal touches to their desks can improve the atmosphere in your workplace and help them stay motivated.<\/p>\n It\u2019s natural for federal workers to feel nervous when they see agencies around them slashing their workforces. Invite your team to talk to you whenever they have questions. If you don\u2019t know the answer, be transparent about it.<\/p>\n An open-door policy is also an opportunity to encourage current workers, pointing out what they do well and how they might improve. Though it\u2019s challenging for people to focus on routine work when they\u2019re worried about losing their jobs, anything you can do to keep your staff productive reflects well on your agency.<\/p>\n Host one-on-one question-and-answer sessions. Address the most common concerns to put their minds at ease as much as possible. Reassure them that you are there if they need additional resources or a glowin<\/a>g letter of re<\/a>commendation<\/a> to take to an interview.<\/p>\n Mass layoffs are worrisome and demoralizing for anyone. Though they\u2019re a source of stress, they can also be a time when your staff pulls together and steers the ship through choppy waters. By subtly encouraging your employees, you can get through cutbacks and come out on the other side, ready to reach new heights of success.<\/p>\n Your actions can build a resilient, confident group. When the layoffs stop and the dust settles, you\u2019ll have a team that has each other\u2019s backs and is enthusiastic about getting to work.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”520.5px” custom_margin=”-17px||20px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|24.625px|0px||” global_module=”37900″ collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”780px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|73.90625px|0px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”780px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”36″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||70px|” text_font_size_tablet=”26″ text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Want new articles before they get published? Subscribe to our Awesome Newsletter.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_signup provider=”constant_contact” constant_contact_list=”mhurwitz321|2103394019″ layout=”bottom_top” first_name_fullwidth=”off” last_name_field=”off” email_fullwidth=”off” success_message=”Thank you for subscribing!” button_text=”Submit” use_spam_service=”on” recaptcha_list=”CIG|CIG-0″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” form_field_background_color=”#ffffff” form_field_text_color=”#000000″ form_field_custom_margin=”1px||1px||false|false” form_field_custom_padding=”12px|12px|12px|12px|false|false” result_message_text_color=”#0C71C3″ result_message_font_size=”25px” result_message_letter_spacing=”1px” result_message_line_height=”1.1em” form_field_text_align=”justify” form_field_font_size=”16px” form_field_line_height=”1.8em” background_enable_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#02b875″ custom_css_free_form=”.et_pb_signup_0.et_pb_subscribe .et_pb_newsletter_button.et_pb_button {|| color: #ffffff !important;|| background-color: #112d51;||}” border_radii_fields=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” border_width_all_fields=”1px” border_color_all_fields=”#c6c6c6″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_signup][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Your actions can build a resilient, confident group. When the layoffs stop and the dust settles, you\u2019ll have a team that has each other\u2019s backs and is enthusiastic about getting to work. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3707,"featured_media":50017,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[610],"class_list":["post-49990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","tag-goal-setting"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nStrategies to Improve Morale During Mass Layoffs<\/h4>\n
Offer Mental Health Support<\/h4>\n
Seek Resources<\/h4>\n
Create a Culture of Positivity<\/h4>\n
Beautify the Office Environment<\/h4>\n
Open Your Door<\/h4>\n
Highlight Your Team\u2019s Strengths<\/h4>\n