Should I help decide who gets laid off?

Dear J.T. & DALE: My boss just informed me that our corporate HQ has asked us to dramatically cut expenses because we aren’t making our numbers. After much discussion, we are going to have to lay off some people in order to meet their goal. He asked me who we should cut. I don’t think it’s my job to give him that input. I don’t want it held against me,

Talk Jobs and candidly, I

would hate to

J.T. O’donnell &

Dale Dauten be the cause of

people losing their job. What should I do? – April

J.T: I think you are within your rights to simply say, “I don’t feel comfortable or capable of giving you advice on whom to let go.” He should be able to understand that. Tell him you will support him on all the other financial cuts but need to leave the employee ones to him. That way, you can have a clear conscience when things go down.

DALE: Aw, that’s sweet. Too bad we don’t work in a sweet economy. Listen, April, you’ve got to help your boss here. There are going to be layoffs — period. Come on: Your department is in trouble, and if your team doesn’t turn things around, there will be a second round of cuts, and then the unkindest cut of all — closing your office. So it’s your duty to make sure management keeps the most talented employees. This isn’t an invitation to hurt people; it’s a chance to save your most important teammates.

J.T.: OK, you have a point. Perhaps, April, you could tell your boss that while you don’t feel right about recommending anyone for layoffs, you’d be willing to help him think through the contributions each employee makes and how various tasks would get accomplished under a new organizational structure. Keep it positive.

DALE: If that’s what you need to tell yourself, that’s fine. But do not worry about getting blamed and having the layoffs held against you — that won’t happen. First, your boss is not going to say to those being cut, “April says we can get along without you.” No, it will be a general announcement, blamed on finances, and then — guess what? — the people who got laid off will be gone. You’ll be surrounded by the people who did not get cut, and this will be a chance for the team to come together and figure out how to turn the group around.

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am interviewing at a new company, and I love it. I’m in the final round. I just found out that my ex-boyfriend recently got hired there. We aren’t on the best of terms. If I take this job, we’ll likely have to work together. I’m also worried that he may try to sabotage my getting hired. What should I do? – Alyssa

J.T.: I would hope that you both are mature enough not to let this get in the way of your careers. It sounds like you need to contact him now and talk this through. Let him know that you want the job and are hoping that both of you can be professional. That way, it will be a lot harder for him to try to sabotage your chances of being hired. If he refuses to cooperate, then be prepared to explain to this employer at some point why there is a disconnect between you and your ex. The key is to make it clear to them that you have no intention of letting it affect your work. That way, the blame will fall on him if he acts inappropriately.

DALE: Let’s hope he’s receptive and that the two of you reach a detente; who knows, maybe you’ll even renew your friendship. If not, I disagree about involving the employer. If you mention the problem before you get an offer, that is likely to end your chances. (No good hiring manager is going to invite a huge potential distraction into the office.) And if you mention it after starting, you’ll seem like someone who came in with a secret, thus reducing your credibility. So refuse to let it be an issue. Be the bigger person.

– Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’donnell is a professional development specialist and the founder of the consulting firm jtodonnell. Dale Dauten resolves employment and other business disputes as a mediator with Agreementhouse.com. Please visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via email, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. Copyright 2017 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.