What is Retrenchment?
Retrenchment is a process of reducing employees by terminating them from the workforce. Organizations often have to take this decision due to following reasons like business downturns, restructuring, or the need to reduce costs.
It mainly involves reducing the workforce due to downsizing the number of employees for balancing the operation of the business and maintaining the business profit.
▸Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. Retrenchment Strategy, The Industrial Dispute Act,1947
As per the Industrial Dispute Act 1947, section 2 states that retrenchment is employers’ termination of the workforce for any reason whatsoever.
But the organization has to maintain some terms and policies. The termination process doesn’t cover the following scenarios, of employment
- Voluntary retirement
- Termination of continued ill-health
- Retirement of employees who reach the age of retirement
- Termination on the grounds of continued ill-health
2. Here are some key aspects of Retrenchment
➔ Reducing Workforce
One of the main key aspects is reducing the number of employees within an organization. The decision should be strategic, made by the company, aligning with changing business needs, reducing costs, or improving operational efficiency.
➔ Termination of Employment
Before finalizing the retrenchment process. it is essential to analyze the employees to be selected for the termination service. After finalizing, do terminate the employment contract of retrenched employees. The termination may be permanent, or in some cases, employees may be placed on a temporary layoff with the possibility of recall if conditions improve.
➔ Redundancy Package
Depending on the jurisdiction and company policies, retrenched employees may be entitled to certain benefits or a redundancy package. This package often includes financial compensation, such as severance pay, payment for unused vacation or leave days, and other benefits, as determined by employment agreements or local labour laws.
➔ Legal Considerations
Retrenchment is subject to legal regulations and labour laws in different countries. Employers must go through with the laws and policies set forth by local authorities regarding employee rights, termination notice periods, consultation processes with employee representatives, and any other legal obligations related to retrenchment.
➔ Employee Support
Despite retrenchment, often companies provide support services to retrenched employees in their transition to new employment. This may include career counselling, referral programs, job placement assistance, retraining programs, and other networking opportunities.
If you are facing retrenchment or have concerns about it, it is advisable to consult with your organization’s human resources department or seek legal advice to understand the specific regulations, rights, and support available to you in your jurisdiction.
3. The Reasons for Retrenchment Strategy
Companies may implement a retrenchment strategy, also known as a layoff or redundancy strategy, for various reasons.
Here are some common reasons why a company might choose to implement a retrenchment strategy
➔ Poor Performance
Zero productivity due to the constant poor performance of employees can be the primary cause of the retrenchment. It senses normally of termination of service and renews it with a fresh candidate.
A fresh start with new talent can improve productivity and enhance business growth.
➔ Threat to Survival
Due to the sudden fall globally, many companies A corporation will frequently shut down a portion of their operations when unexpected activity in their product markets hinders the company’s success. Many times, the company’s shareholders also compel such a plan.
➔ Redistribution of Resources
It is often essential for the organization to scale up the operations in the current business, analyze the marketing strategy and redistribute the resources freed for more productive output.
➔ Inadequate Resources
Often organizations face challenges due to inadequate resources. It leads to reduced productivity and damages brand reputation.
Getting improvisation, the company must improve the resources, but they don’t have enough resources or money for any reason whatsoever. In this case, the company might be compelled the termination of service and change them with new resources.
➔ Ensuring Better Management for the employer
The employer must ensure the corporation should occasionally diversify. it often loses control, which impacts operational engagement.
The process of retrenchment helps a company in managing employee performance and streamlining its product line.
4. The Process of the Retrenchment Strategy
Companies may implement a retrenchment strategy, also known as a layoff or redundancy strategy, for various reasons.
Companies typically aim to balance the needs of the organization with the welfare of their employees, seeking to minimize the impact on affected individuals and providing support during the transition period.
Here are some common reasons why the employer might choose to implement a retrenchment strategy and the organization get its productivity on track.
➔ Identification retrenchment requirement
The first step is to identify the need to reduce the workforce. Is it really urgent? Is it really effective for your business growth?
Organizations can do the retrenchment process due to declining sales, change in market condition, pandemic, or share market down.
➔ Consultation with employees
Once the reason for retrenchment is identified, the HRs must consult with the employees, and discuss their decision. If it is possible organization can provide scope in the near future.
➔ Criteria for selection:
The organization must have proper objective and non-discriminatory criteria for choosing employees for retrenchment. HRs can select the employee on the basis of service, performance, and qualification.
➔ Notice period alert:
Organizations should take the decision sensibly. They can continue with the right offboarding procedure. And it is essential to provide a proper notice period so that they may get a chance to get other opportunities.
➔ The payment as Compensation:
There must be some need to pay compensation to the retrenched employees. Several severance payments, outstanding wages, and other entitlements can be within the compensation amount.
