A local, family-owned hardware company has multiple stores throughout a midsize city. Recently, the HR manager for the hardware company was informed by the CEO that a large, publicly traded organization is acquiring the family-owned business. As a result of the acquisition, the HR manager will soon be instructed to lay off employees at various locations. In addition to telling the HR manager, the CEO also informs the store managers at each location. The CEO plans to announce the acquisition at a companywide meeting, but news of the acquisition has already leaked to employees who now feel betrayed by the lack of communication. Store managers are already complaining that employees are engaging in counterproductive work behaviors like showing up late to work, leaving store shelves unorganized, and acting disrespectfully to store managers. The HR manager is concerned about these behaviors since the acquisition will not formally take place for another six months.
The large, publicly traded organization employs workers from very diverse backgrounds.
Which action should the HR manager take to prepare employees for working with others from diverse backgrounds?