ECONOMY
Coach AK: Companies Like Disney Can Help Minimize the Hidden Costs of Layoffs
Disney made a second round of layoffs Monday, bringing the total number laid off so far to 4,000, with plans for a further 3,000 cuts.
The company first notified employees of impending layoffs on March 27. The current round is expected to be completed this week, and a third round of layoffs is expected to commence before summer.
AK Ikwuakor, or Coach AK,” a business and performance coach and former world-ranked track and field athlete, said a layoff can be a difficult and stressful experience, but companies can help minimize the impacts.
“In addition to low morale and decreased loyalty toward the company, layoffs can also lead to a loss of trust and confidence in leadership,” Ikwuakor said. “To minimize the negative impact of layoffs, it’s important for managers to handle the situation with empathy and transparency.”
Ikwuakor said companies can support employees amid layoffs by communicating clearly and providing resources such as financial planning and mental health support.
“As a society, we need to recognize the hidden costs of layoffs and provide support for those who are struggling,” he said. “The anticipation of a layoff can trigger a range of physiological and psychological responses in individuals, leading to stress, reduced productivity, financial insecurity, and social isolation. To minimize the negative impact, it’s important for companies to communicate clearly and be transparent with their employees and provide support resources for those who are struggling.
But layoffs can also be an opportunity for employees to transfer their skills to new fields or roles, Ikwuakor said.
“For example, a sales professional may have developed strong communication, prospecting, and presentation skills that could be valuable in other careers such as recruiting, teaching, or real estate,” Ikwuakor said. “By thinking creatively and being open to new opportunities, employees can increase their marketability and find fulfilling new careers.”
[TMX](http://usetmx.com) contributed to this story.
Note to newsroom: this original article was written entirely by TMXs team of journalists, and it is being offered to just one newsroom. If you want to use it, be the first to accept, and you can use our copy as is, or make any adjustments you like, or even write an entirely new article from scratch, incorporating the contact: “Coach AK” Ikwuakor, [ak@coachaketerprises.com](mailto:ak@coachaketerprises.com), 310-272-0860, [https://akikwuakor.com/](https://akikwuakor.com/).
