Redundancy has a widespread emotional impact on all involved, including the ‘envoys’ – those HR professionals responsible for implementing it. While HR professionals have a traditionally positive role within their organisation, the redundancy process takes them from ‘builder to destroyer’, creating an internal conflict about their role in the organisation. This study explores the impact of this internal conflict and suggests ways in which organisations can minimise the impact on ‘envoys’.

Members access only

Unlock exclusive, tailored content and resources, just for members.

Sign in to access

Not a member yet? Find out how you can become a member today!

Reviewed by

Rachel Suff, Senior Policy Adviser, Employee Relations, CIPD

Rachel Suff joined the CIPD as a policy adviser in 2014 to increase the CIPD’s public policy profile and engage with politicians, civil servants, policy-makers and commentators to champion better work and working lives. An important part of her role is to ensure that the views of the profession inform CIPD policy thinking on issues such as health and wellbeing, employee engagement and employment relations. As well as conducting research on UK employment issues, she helps guide the CIPD’s thinking in relation to European developments affecting the world of work. Rachel’s prior roles include working as a researcher for XpertHR and as a senior policy adviser at Acas.

More on this topic

Report
Labour Market Outlook

Read our latest Labour Market Outlook report for analysis on employers’ recruitment, redundancy and pay intentions

Bitesize research
Pay cuts as an alternative to redundancies

When cost savings are required, what is the impact of making pay cuts instead of redundancies?

For Members
Webinar
Navigating an economic downturn – and looking after your people

Experts discuss avoiding and managing redundancies, legal requirements and managing your own wellbeing.

Bitesize research
Refocus, reorganise and rebuild

An eight-step model for minimising employee burnout after multiple redundancy programmes

For Members

Latest Bitesize research

Bitesize research
Factors influencing ChatGPT adoption in the workplace

What are the barriers to the adoption of generative AI tools at work and how can they be overcome?

For Members
Bitesize research
Using algorithms to make decisions ethically and responsibly

Algorithms can help speed decisions and help organisations to operate more efficiently or profitably, but what are the pitfalls particularly from an ethical perspective?

For Members
Bitesize research
Role ambiguity can lead to bullying but supportive leadership helps

How might role ambiguity lead to workplace bullying and what is the impact of leadership support in negating this effect?

For Members
Bitesize research
How to start using AI as an HRM assistant

An exploration of how generative AI tools like ChatGPT can be used effectively to support human resource management

For Members
All Bitesize research