Downsizing Ceremony
Guidelines
From the Celebrant
USA
If
you’ve just been downsized, take heart:
you are not alone and your support system of friends and family are ready
to help you get through this rough patch. Companies in the midst of
downsizing or employees who have been laid-off should consider holding a
downsizing ceremony to acknowledge this significant life-event and to help the
person affected move to the next phase of his/her career.
“A
downsizing ceremony will make this transition clear and honor this milestone,”
said Charlotte Eulette, National Director of the Celebrant USA Foundation. “It will also ensure a rite of passage
that honors a very important time in a person’s life and will be an inspiration
for all who participate, including the company that held the
downsizing.”
Following
are guidelines from the Celebrant USA Foundation.
Who
should have a downsizing ceremony?
The
downsizing ceremony is important for three separate groups – those employees who
have been laid off, managers who must lead the organization during periods of
difficult transitions, and those employees who have survived the downsizing but
may be feeling guilt and fear about their own futures.
Why
have a downsizing ceremony?
Rather
than simply packing one’s things and leaving quietly, organizing a formal
ceremony ensures that all participants are given a chance to mourn the loss to
the individual and the company, to honor the employee’s past contributions, and
to wish him or her well in future endeavors.
Who
should give the ceremony?
The
employer can have a ceremony for the downsized employee or friends/colleagues
and family of the person who lost or has left their job can give the
ceremony.
Who to invite:
Invite people
in the company that the employee worked with and had friendships with including
clients and customers. Ask the
employee if they would like to invite family members or close friends.
Where
to have the ceremony:
A
restaurant with a private room to accommodate guests, the company conference or
dining room or a nearby park/garden. Make sure privacy will be respected, that
everyone will be comfortable and be able to hear and see the ceremony.
When to have the ceremony:
A few working days before the person's last day.
Check with the employee and the people you are inviting to find out when would
be the best day/time and place for all to attend.
How
long should the ceremony be?
The
ceremony should last about 25 minutes followed by music, food, gifts, a toast
and many big hugs.
Should
there be a main speaker at the ceremony?
Yes,
while the employee, managers and colleagues should participate, it is helpful to
have an independent Celebrant who has not been involved with the layoffs work
together with those affected to officiate at the ceremony.
How
to create a meaningful ceremony:
Make
it personal and relevant:
Within the ceremony, expound on the employee's accomplishments and how
special that person has been to the organization. If the
employee has been at the company for many years, pay tribute for his/her tenure
of service and dedication.
Honor
the friendship and professional relationships they have developed: Invite
close friends and colleagues to give a gift, possibly a book of poetry, or a
scrapbook of their memories together. If the person had been a mentor to other
employees at the company, have those employees say a few words. Have management, a client and/or a
customer that is special to the employee express their gratitude.
Make
a wish box: Create
a wish box (be creative!) and ask guests to write their wish for the employee as
a memento of friendship and good will that they can
treasure.
Talk,
talk, talk: Most of all… talk directly with the
employee and find out, in their own words, how they feel and think about the
time they worked at the company, the people they met and bonds they forged,
their accomplishments, the challenges and the meaning this entire experience has
had on their life. Ask them to tell
you about their future hopes and dreams and incorporate these into the ceremony
in a dignified and constructive way.
The
Celebrant USA Foundation is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to
helping individuals, couples families and organizations personalize celebrations
that mark life’s milestones.
Celebrants have performed over one million ceremonies worldwide. Celebrants officiate at virtually every
life event, including weddings and commitments, funerals and memorials, and baby
namings and adoptions. With a focus
on personalizing each ceremony to reflect the needs, beliefs and values of the
couple or family, Celebrants are trained in the art of celebration, symbolism
and tradition.
©
Celebrant