Workforce Adjustments: People First

Make Your Meetings More Active

  • Include items on your meeting agenda that require participants to get out of their seats (breakout groups, stand and write ideas on an easel).
  • Choose movement friendly meeting locations (walkable neighborhoods, on-site gym, nearby park).
  • Hire a professional instructor (pilates, yoga, tai chi, stretching, Zumba) to lead a class before or during the meeting.
  • Point out the stairs and encourage attendees to use them. Consider including the location of stairs in meeting directions or putting arrows to the stairs in front of elevators.
  • Organize a group walk early in the morning, during a break or before/after dinner.
  • Consider incorporating standing ovations after each speaker to encourage participants to stand and stretch.

Standing Breaks

  • At least once an hour, participants should be encouraged to stand up to improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and relieve physical discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time.
  • Announce that it is fine to stand up and move around, as needed. If possible, provide raised tables for those electing to stand during the meeting.

Stretch Breaks

  • Stretch breaks help participants wake up their bodies and minds.
  • Encourage people to stand up and stretch in place.
  • Try playing a Healthy UC Davis WakeBreak video! These instructor-led stretch videos range from 4 to 15 minutes. 

Breathing Exercise

  • Focused breathing is an energizing activity that can help relax and clear your mind. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Suggested Activity Agendas

LENGTH OF MEETINGSTANDING BREAKSTRETCH BREAKSBREATHING BREAKSMOVEMENT BREAKSWALKING BREAKS
50 - 60 minx x  
2 - 4 hoursxxxx 
All Dayxxxxx

If your unit is considering workforce adjustments, using the guidance and resources on this page will help ensure employees are treated fairly with compassion and care.

If you and your leadership are exploring workforce reductions, please:

  1. Consult your HR Business Partner.
  2. Together, seek the guidance of Employee & Labor Relations.
  3. Review the guides and web pages linked in sidebar and below.

Putting People First

Objective: Preserve career positions

Ask yourself the following before reducing your workforce:

  • Can you eliminate contract and/or temporary positions?
  • Can you end engagements with external consultants?
  • Do you have vacant positions that can remain unfilled?
  • Can an employee be reassigned to a vacant position?

Workforce Reduction Options

  • Explore temporary measures before permanent
  • We’re committed to using layoffs and indefinite reductions in time only when necessary, and after carefully assessing other options.

Communicating Workforce Changes and Layoffs

Carefully plan your communications and show compassion and patience to affected employees.