TL;DR: A viral video of a recorded layoff has reignited the conversation around how organizations handle terminations. In this episode, Deb Muller and Rebecca Trotsky explain how poorly managed employee exits can damage company reputation and morale, especially in today’s “radical transparency” era. The takeaway? Don’t fear being recorded — instead, lead with empathy, preparation and respect.
Three Key Takeaways from the Video: Navigating Layoffs with Care
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HR must own the process, not just delegate it: If you’re terminating someone you’ve never even met, it’s a sign the system — and your manager training — is broken.
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Don’t fear the camera: Recording is becoming the norm in today’s “get ready with me” TikTok culture. Focus less on control and more on saying and doing the right thing.
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Empathy builds your brand: When tough situations are handled with care and transparency, companies may see stronger employee trust and even retention — not just backlash.
Video Transcript: Navigating Layoffs with Care
00:00:09
Deb: Hey Rebecca, you ready for some Two-Minute Matters?
00:00:11
Rebecca: I’m always ready for Two-Minute Matters with you, Deb.
00:00:13
Deb: All right. Well, the news has sort of thrown us a perfect topic. We can talk about Britney Peach’s termination that she recorded for everybody to view and comment on.
00:00:20
Rebecca: I think it’s becoming… yeah, it’s becoming a thing.
00:00:23
Deb: So set my timer. Are we ready?
00:00:26
Rebecca: We’re ready.
00:00:27
Deb: Okay, let’s talk terminations that are recorded. Go!
00:00:30
Rebecca: Yeah, I mean her firing video is just a perfect example of the negative impact of poorly managed employee issues. I mean, it can really impact the company’s brand, their reputation — look how it spiraled out of control. PR nightmare for that organization.
00:00:41
Deb: Yeah, it makes HR look really bad too. We can do better. If somebody’s delegating a termination to you and you’ve never even met the person, you haven’t done enough to get your managers ready for this situation or conversation. Do better, HR.
00:00:55
Rebecca: Not fair. Like, don’t worry about if they’re recording — like, make sure what you’re saying makes sense. Especially now. This is what do they call the “Get Ready With Me” culture?
00:01:04
Deb: You know, the influencers?
00:01:06
Rebecca: I didn’t even know what that was. They sit and they put… let’s see — yes, my makeup on right now…
00:01:10
Deb: Get ready with me for Two-Minute Matters! Doing your hair right now?
00:01:14
Rebecca: There’s such radical transparency that’s happening. It’s commonplace on TikTok, so we shouldn’t be surprised that people want to show what’s happening in their work lives as well.
00:01:23
Deb: So if you mess up, workplace HR managers — you can bet it is going to go viral.
00:01:28
Rebecca: And here’s the thing — if they did it the right way, it would actually help their brand. It would help build trust with other people in the organization who are still there. It doesn’t have to be this way. It doesn’t have to be done so badly.
00:01:40
Deb: Our data shows that, right? Our data shows that when bad things happen at work and an organization handles it with empathy, they’re transparent — it actually builds loyalty and retention with their employees — those that stay and those that leave as well.
00:01:54
Rebecca: Exactly. So I don’t think it’s the kind of thing that companies need to be building a lot of policies around — although I’m sure they will, and they probably are.
00:02:01
Deb: Right, it’s gonna happen anyway. But just do it right. Whether it’s being recorded or not, this should just be how we operate.
00:02:08
Rebecca: Yeah. It’s frustrating to me.
00:02:11
Deb: Yeah. More to come.
00:02:13
Rebecca: All right, we there?
00:02:15
Deb: And that is two minutes exactly. We’re getting better at this!
00:02:18
Rebecca: All right. Well, great talk to you, and uh, see you next time.
00:02:21
Deb: See you next time.
