Human ResourcesRetrenchment, Restructuring and Workforce Reduction
Workforce reductions are overturned more often on process than on substance, and an organisation that had a genuine operational reason routinely loses because it consulted after deciding rather than before. This course covers doing it lawfully and decently. Delegates work through the operational requirement and the evidence supporting it, the consultation obligation including who must be consulted, when, and about what, and alternatives to dismissal that must genuinely be considered. Selection criteria and their fair application are covered. Severance, notice and the financial calculation follow. Communication to affected staff, to those remaining and to unions is practised. The course closes on support and outplacement, and on rebuilding a function after a reduction.
Course objectives
- Establish and evidence a genuine operational requirement
- Consult before the decision, with the right parties, about the right things
- Consider alternatives to dismissal genuinely
- Apply fair and objective selection criteria
- Calculate severance, notice and associated payments
- Communicate to affected staff, survivors and unions
- Provide support and rebuild the function afterwards
Who should attend
- Human resources practitioners and business partners
- Line managers involved in restructuring
- Industrial relations and legal staff
- Union representatives
- Executives authorising workforce reductions
Course outline
- 01Lost on process, not on substance
- 02Operational requirement and evidence
- 03The consultation obligation
- 04Alternatives to dismissal
- 05Selection criteria and fair application
- 06Severance, notice and calculations
- 07Communication to all parties
- 08Support, outplacement and rebuilding
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 to 16 December 2026 | Port Louis, Mauritius | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 28 to 30 December 2026 | Lagos, Nigeria | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 13 to 15 January 2027 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |