Help workers get a grip on their economic concerns

Gloomy economic forecasts have taken an emotional toll on your workforce. Some employees are cowering under their desks, some are slumped in their chairs, some are wandering around in a daze. How can you help them process their feelings and start concentrating on their assignments? Try these tactics:

Purge panic. For some the economic crisis has sparked terror. But you can talk panicked works down by reminding them they've survived many ecnpomic challenges -- according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, in the last 40 years there have been six recessions lasting from six to 16 months. Counsel them to reflect on coping strategies they've employed in times past to use them to set goals for managing current challenges.

Dump depression. Weathering past storms may have given some workers coping tools, but it's taught others to expect the worse. Mention recession and their minds shut down, leaving their bodies to wait for the inevitable pink slip. Lift their spirits by enumerating the organziation's strengths and suggesting things they can do to help the company to remain solvent.

Disavow denial. What does it matter if workers ignore economic crisis and continue with business as usual? It's not business as usual. You need these workers to be diligent in pursuing new opportunities and looking for ways to cut costs. You'll all have to work together to ensure the organization's future, so you can't afford to let anyone mentally check out.

Source: adapted from : "Overcome your recession fears," by Bob Rosner and Sherrie Campbell, on the PayScale Web site.