It should be no news to anyone that employees get nervous when their jobs are in jeopardy. In this economic downturn, many are sweating out the corporate decisions concerning layoffs and cutbacks. It is, indeed, a nervous time.
According to an article on CNBC, health experts are predicting an outbreak of negative behavior. Theft, depression, drug use, and increased anxiety will increase. Rash behavior and in violence may become more commonplace. Part of this, the experts say, evolves from fear of losing jobs and the decline in personal income. The rest is a result of being forced to cut back on spending, a harsh reality for a consumer oriented society.
So people will be going through their changes and some of it will be awhile, before the reality filters down to different social and economic strata. But for us the main issue of what will transpire in the workplace. We can see violent eruptions and emotional outbreaks. Employees may start stealing more because they feel they deserve it or it is their response to cutbacks and wage freezes. None of this is any good, and while we can understand it, this behavior is hardly excusable.
What is of even greater concern for employers is the preemployment screening process. When you hire new employees, and despite the economic downturn, sooner or later you will, you better be sure they haven’t been involved in violent acts, theft or even county civil searches, where disturbances and lawsuits will show. It is likely that the candidates you hire will be coming off another job. Maybe they were laid off because of the economic downturn, but maybe they were fired for freaking out on the job. Most HR Managers will not comment on those issues for fear of liability issues.
I suppose some of the fall out from this poor economy will be a reassessment of everything from behavior in the workplace to rampant consumerism. As the issues continue to unfold I am reminded of an ancient Chinese Proverb. What isn’t an ancient Chinese Proverb? But this one goes, “May you live in interesting times.” If nothing else, these are certianly interesting times.
Check them out before you hire.
