I REFER to the letter, 'Sensitive, humane approach needed for retrenchments' (my paper, March 20).

Retrenchment is a top concern among Singaporeans as global economic conditions continue to worsen.

Singapore's Manpower Ministry and its partners have come out with guidelines for retrenchment procedures to ensure the welfare of retrenched workers.

When it comes to layoffs, bosses need to do it with a sensitive touch. We are dealing with human beings - workers and their families - not fish or vegetables.

It is always painful when one is retrenched. The least a company can do is to mitigate the pain for the staff being retrenched.

They should not be treated shabbily. Offer them words of comfort and encouragement on their last day of work.

Good employers will also help lessen the pain of the retrenched staff by giving them adequate retrenchment benefits.

They should also work with various agencies to help the displaced staff find work.

Being unemployed can be depressing.

Senior management must do the most sensible thing when laying off their workers - treat them with respect on their last day of work.

Bosses should not forget the retrenched workers' contributions, hard work and sacrifices during the good years.

Mr Sebastian Tan

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