Business Problem: Telling staff bad news
A key executive in our business has handed in his notice and is moving to our main rival. I have been told not to tell my team yet because the CEO will make a company-wide announcement when he returns from his holiday. But many staff elsewhere in the business have already heard unofficially. I want to tell my team before they find out from somewhere else. What should I do?
Talk to or e-mail your CEO and explain the situation, it's ultimately his/her decision. Your CEO would appreciate knowing what's going on at ground level.
Adam Flowers, Flowers Associates, Rothley
Few CEOs are truly incommunicado on holiday. Those days have gone. Advise him the word is out and while he may want to make a formal announcement, it is in the interest of the business to make an informal statement about the position rather than half truths emerging in corridors.
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Chris Greenwell, Gateley, Leicester
There is no benefit to the company to keep this under wraps until the CEO returns. An announcement should immediately be made on behalf of the CEO to keep everybody in the picture as the nature of the move could certainly have some impact on the company.
Shahid Sheikh, Clifton Packaging, Braunstone
If you tell your team then word will spread unofficially throughout the business. You must inform your staff that the CEO will be making an announcement about imminent structural changes – any presumptions made at this stage are unhelpful to everybody.
Nigel Toplis, Recognition Express, Bardon
Surely the point of a corporate announcement is to allay fears by explaining how the change will be dealt with. That won't work if there are already rumours, so get the others in the management team to announce the departure.
David Heys, Lawson West Solicitors, Leicester
Technology is so advanced it will not be difficult to contact the CEO even while on holiday. The situation can be explained to him and either he can make an announcement or authorise a manager to communicate a prepared statement.
Rishi Chandarana, BPC Chandarana & Co, Leicester
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