​The MEF Survey on Managing Employees During Economic Downturn was conducted from May to August 2016. The Report provides private sector companies with the latest and comprehensive guide on policies and best practices implemented by companies in embarking on voluntary separation schemes (VSS), mutual separation schemes (MSS) and retrenchment exercises. The findings of the survey reveal that:

• during the current economic downturn, out of 118 respondent companies indicated that they offered retrenchment (12.7%), VSS (8.2%), MSS (5.5%) and temporary lay-off (3.6%)
• common HR strategies adopted by the respondent companies during economic downturn include control overtime work (78.2%), freeze on new recruitment except for critical areas (75.5%), limit work on weekly rest days and public holidays (50.9%), reduce usage of electricity/ water (50%) and reduce outstation and overseas business travel (40.9%).
• 93.3% of the respondents stated that they contacted Labour Department for their assistance to help retrenched workers to secure alternative jobs, followed by identifying vacancies in other companies based on their network to be offered to the retrenched employees (80%) and offering alternative employment within the organisation (60%).