This week, Tesla wrote to employees who were being made redundant:
It’s not you that’s being made redundant. It’s the role.
That’s not much comfort, to many.
It feels like the “It’s not you; it’s me” reasoning you probably received from a past romantic relationship.
It’s true that there are plenty more fish in the sea.
But that doesn’t help in the moment.
It also doesn’t take into account how different people process information and emotions.
Those stoic, dependable “rocks”?
Their lower neuroticism not only means that they’re more likely to have fewer cognitive coping mechanisms, but also that their social circles might not realise they’re struggling.
They’re always dependable.
They’ll bounce back.
In the mix of their own emotional processing, the rationale and “why me?” reactions, and the well-intentioned toxic positivity (“Anywhere will be lucky to have you”), there’s something additional that bothers me about Tesla’s annoucement.
That second word.
“Employee”
You’re changing my livelihood.
You’re affecting my ability to stay connected to my social circles.
Part of my identity and value as an individual is tied up in my connection to Tesla.
And you can’t even use my name when you’re giving me the news?
I know it seems a small detail.
But, when there’s a emotive decision to be made, letting the individual know that they’re seen, considered and respected is important.
More than that. It’s humane.
Let’s put the human back into HR.
It comes first for a reason.
