In past recessions, corporate layoffs were announced in press releases that were strategically positioned as cost reductions for Wall Street. As an HR professional and steward of your employment brand, you should be equally interested in how your company is perceived by current employees, potential candidates, and consumers on Main Street.

Today, organizations are not in sole control of the published information and responses to their actions. This economic downturn is different. The article Blogs put new spin on layoffs offers insights into how all your workforce practices are now out in the open, making them transparent and critical for both your employment and corporate brands. Some smart companies like Taleo customer Tesla choose to strategically pre-empt the coverage by delivering the news on corporate blogs to proactively control the message.

So, although it may not be profitable to lose your head when you tighten your belt, know that how your organization handles workforce reductions will be a public discussion.