HR Trainings

Course Introduction

In today’s uncertain and highly competitive business environment, organizations are under increasing pressure to control costs, protect profitability, and respond quickly to changing market conditions. As labor costs often represent one of the largest operating expenses, management teams frequently look to HR for immediate solutions that can deliver measurable cost savings.

However, workforce cost reduction does not always require large-scale restructuring or immediate layoffs. Before implementing major organizational changes, companies can often achieve significant short-term savings through a series of practical workforce management actions and operational improvements.

Mastering the key methods for planning, communication, and execution is crucial when layoffs become unavoidable.

This workshop is specific focused on quick wins and immediate-impact initiatives. The emphasis is on identifying and implementing practical measures that can reduce workforce-related costs in the short term while minimizing business disruption and preserving critical organizational capabilities.

Target audience

HR professionals, HR Business Partners, HR Managers, Finance Managers, Finance BP, Costing Managers, FP&A Managers, and business leaders who are involved in workforce cost reduction

Teaching methods

Lectures, case study, group discussion, group exercise, experience sharing

Training Objective

This course aims to help you:

• Understand the key business and financial drivers behind workforce cost reduction initiatives
• Identify major workforce cost components and immediate cost-saving opportunities
• Diagnose workforce inefficiencies and productivity gaps
• Implement practical cost reduction measures before considering workforce restructuring
• Evaluate the effectiveness, risks, and implementation requirements of different cost reduction actions
• Manage workforce restructuring and layoff projects professionally when alternative measures are no longer sufficient

Training Content

Course Introduction & Ice Breaking

Why Workforce Cost Management Matters: Seeing the Bigger Picture

1. Workforce Cost Blind Spots of HR and Finance
2. The common definitions of Workforce Costs
3. The framework & classifications of Workforce Costs
4. A Holistic Three-Pillar Framework for Understanding Workforce Costs

What Can HR Do Before a Layoff?
(Workforce Cost Reduction Ladder)

1. Workforce Cost Analysis
   Headcount/Workforce cost/Efficiency analysis
2. Immediate Controls
   Variable Workforce cost management
3. Workforce Optimization
   Mobility/Compensation/Redeployment/Benefit
4. Structural Changes
   Strategy/Span/Layer/Process

Workforce Restructuring & Layoff Project Management

1. Mindset & Principles
2. Project Planning and Preparation
   The category of layoffs from the legal perspectives
   Budget Planning and accruals
3. Project Team &Decision-Making Process
4. Timeline Management
5. Communication Strategy
6. Employee Notification and Individual Discussion
   Conducting Difficult Conversations (Experience Sharing)
7. Severance and Exit Management
8. Business Continuity & Hand-over
9. Post-Layoff Organization Stabilization
10. Project Review & Lessons Learned

 Critical Capabilities for HR & Finance Leaders for Workforce Reduction

Wrap-up & Final Key takeaways

Audience Feedback & Evaluation

Instructor profile

Ashley Yu is an experienced HR executive with over 20 years of professional experience across multinational manufacturing. She has held senior HR leadership positions in leading international organizations, including Kern-Liebers China Business Group & BOBST Group. Recently She was appointed as HR Director for a global communications components company, leading HR across the China headquarters, Southeast Asia, and Northeast Asia.

Throughout her career, Ashley has successfully led a wide range of strategic HR initiatives, including organizational restructuring, workforce optimization, labor cost management, talent acquisition, succession planning, leadership development, M&A integration, HR digitalization, and greenfield factory start-ups.

As a business-oriented HR leader, Ashley has extensive experience partnering with senior management teams to improve organizational effectiveness, enhance workforce productivity, and align people strategies with business objectives. Her practical experience includes driving downsizing and efficiency improvement programs, workforce planning, organizational design, payroll governance, and talent management etc.

Ashley is also an experienced trainer and facilitator. Her training style combines practical business insights, real-life case experience, and interactive learning approaches.