As we closed out the year 2023, layoffs remained top of mind. In this episode, Rupert and Shradha delve into the topic of organizational design in that context. Often, reductions in force (RIF) are associated with reorganization or organizational design, although RIF primarily serves as a form of workforce planning. A lack of discipline around systemic organizational design can help organizations avoid herd behaviour regarding reactive reductions in the workforce. Join us as we unpack organizational layoffs to kick off our new season.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Season Two Plans

02:16 Question: Org Design in Times of Layoffs

03:12 RIF and Reactive Org Design

04:02 RIF and its Negative Impact

05:13 RIF as a Workforce Planning Activity

06:17 The Need for Proper Org Design Discipline

07:42 Avoiding the Riffing Roller Coaster

08:11 Creating Healthy Organizations

09:16 The Importance of Systemic Org Design

10:44 Avoiding Herd Behavior in Org Design

13:18 Caution in Rehiring Consultants

15:31 Takeaways