The merger and acquisition of companies may be great news for the heads of the companies, but the employees can experience tremendous stress as they're the ones who will experience first-hand any changes to how the companies will work after the merger. This is particularly disturbing for employees who have special arrangements, such as someone with severe allergies who fears being thrown into a new office or someone who has an arrangement to take time off for medical appointments. It's essential to keep morale up in the office so that work continues to be done, and your actions can go a long way toward reducing employee stress over the merger.

Be Honest

First, be honest. Everyone knows now that "It's business as usual" is a terrible stock phrase that's usually followed by layoffs. If policy changes are in the works, let people know. If you don't know whether anyone will need to be let go, say you don't know at this point. Glossing over the potential changes only makes people more nervous and makes them feel disrespected.

Keep Employees Informed About How Job Policies Might Change

If you get information about changes in job policies, such as changes in benefits or work locations or in how employees should approach clients, for example, keep the employees informed. The more the employees know, the more confident they can feel about making a decision to stay and see how the merger goes, rather than just leaving for a new job out of fear.

For employees who need special arrangements for work, do specifically ask about keeping those arrangements. Those employees don't need the extra worry that goes along with needing accommodations.

Start Arranging a Way to Transfer "Laid-Off" Employees

If you think layoffs are a real possibility, or if you get word that people will be let go, start arranging ways to transfer those people into different positions instead of just firing them. If your company shows that it's concerned about making sure everyone stays employed and can deal with new policies, people are more likely to see the merger as a stable transition rather than a major upheaval.

Acquisition consultants can help you devise strategies to calm and retain workers without making those workers feel left out of the process. Mergers may not be the smoothest of times, but there are ways to make the time better for those going through those mergers. Contact a consulting firm like Kingsmoor Advisors to learn more.

Share