Avoiding freezer burn: Before, during, and after of a hiring freeze

Abstract

Hiring freezes are a common strategy that organizations pursue during times of fiscal austerity to conserve funds. While a freeze does impact an organization, the impact is certainly less than a layoff would be. Hiring freezes, after all, are designed to be temporary, but layoffs are a permanent workforce reduction. Interim leaders may believe they have less ability to successfully address hiring freezes than those holding permanent appointments, but in reality they likely have resources at their disposal to be just as successful as other organizational leaders during such times. In this chapter, librarians will learn strategies they can employ before, during, and after a hiring freeze to speed the filling of positions when a freeze is anticipated; to make the best use of time and other resources during the freeze; and to position their organization to move creatively and effectively in filling positions when the freeze is lifted.