Furlough ... or farewell?

By now many employers will have furloughed their employees - or be in the process of doing so.

To those not affected, and perhaps to those who still have many (maybe even more) demands, it might seem like a cushy option.

Sit at home, on 80% of wages. Not allowed to work, nothing to spend money on. Happy days?

Not so much. The human brain likes certainty. And our work very often gives us meaning. Take both of those away, and people aren't going to be able to break the back of their first novel, or work towards their Grade 3 Basoon. They'll be discombobulated at best, struggling to adapt at worst.

And - given the pretty dire economic forecasts - they will be aware that not all of them are coming back. What might seem like a holiday to you, may just feel like a stay of execution to them.

You may still have people on the frontline, but you've got a duty to the people at home to talk to them, hear how they're feeling and work to help them.

And you've a responsibility to be honest. When things are unknown, say so. And update them as they become more known.

Even when they're not working for you, give your people certainty and respect.