Question:

I manage a group of office workers. Because of a change in our workload, I want to transfer them to production line work but they were very upset when I told them what was going to happen. If they don't accept the move, they could be demoted or fired. What should I do?

First Answer:

Making lemonade out of lemons is a managerial art. Imposing an change on people's work content is not usually well received, but such changes are more and more necessary in order for organizations to remain nimble to a changing marketplace.

You can't change the way you introduced this change or invite your employees to participate in solving the business problem at hand because you've already made the decision, but you may be able to achieve more "buy-in" by walking them through the alternatives you considered-pay cuts, staff reductions, reduced hours-and the reasons you chose the transfer to production. You may also be receiving a negative response because to some individuals, production work has a lower status than office work. Income continuation should trump status. If this transfer builds inventory for future sales, avoids layoffs, and maintains current pay levels, it is a "win-win" compared to the other scenarios. Be consistent in your message that this was the best alternative among some less attractive ones.

One other suggestion: if you can provide some kind of a "stay bonus" for employees who successfully make the switch for a given period of time, you may be able to use this situation as an opportunity to instill a sense of teamwork, that you are all working together regardless of role for the survival/success of the organization.

And one caveat: Be sure to ask your employees if they will need any accommodations in order to perform their new duties. Some employees may have health conditions that restrict their physical work, and you want to be both helpful and acting lawfully in making this change from office to production work.

-- Carol Anderson, Career Development and Placement Office, Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy at New School University in New York City

Career Videos