Executives Mock Lay-off Trial Scenario
Executives Mock Lay-off Trial Scenario
Executive Playbook: the goal is not just to create a plan and describe procedural tasks—but to lead through uncertainty with clarity, care, and control.
Client: Palmetto Beach Golf Club Resort – West Palm Beach, FL
Services Provided: Consulting + Outplacement
Background:
Palmetto Beach Golf Club Resort is a luxury beachfront destination located just two miles from a prestigious golf club. The resort offers high-end amenities, including four restaurants, a full-service spa, a Kids Club, exclusive beach access, water sports rentals, and 24/7 guest transportation via luxury sprinter vans and black car service.
Current Challenge:
Following a sharp decline in international tourism and recent hurricane damage to one wing of the hotel, leadership has decided to temporarily shut down 25% of operations. This includes the Kids Club, Transportation Department, and reduced shifts across several restaurant teams.
Kids Club: Operates from 7 AM to 8 PM for ages 4–12. Features include a crafts room, movie area, computer lab, and supervised play.
Transportation: Includes 6 sprinter vans and 2 black cars offering 24/7 guest transit to the airport, golf club, and local attractions.
Restaurants:
Bar Coconut: 10:30 AM–11 PM (lunch & dinner, poolside service)
Palmetto Café: 6 AM–10:30 AM (breakfast & grab-and-go)
The Palms: 5 PM–12 AM (fine dining)
The Glades: 6:30 AM–10 PM (all-day dining)
Your Role:
As a senior decision-maker, your responsibility is to lead this restructuring, focusing on:
Identifying essential vs. non-essential roles across impacted departments
Determining which staff will remain, be reskilled, or be laid off
Ensuring compliance with the Florida WARN Act
Overseeing the delivery of outplacement services to 65 impacted employees
Creating a thoughtful communication strategy for both staff and guests
Important Note:
This scenario has been intentionally designed to be open-ended to simulate real-world ambiguity. You are expected to apply your company’s established policies, procedures, and expertise to navigate this challenge—just as you would in an actual restructuring situation.
Your decisions, strategic thinking, and problem-solving approach will be reviewed in a follow-up debrief next week. During that debrief, we will follow-up with insights, recommendations, and lessons learned based on how you approached the scenario. This exercise is meant to test both compliance and compassion in high-stakes executive decision-making.
