When Layoffs Become a Safety Risk, HR Is the First Line of Defense | HR Executive

HR professionals witness early warning signs—financial distress, isolation, fixation on grievances—that security teams rarely see until it's too late. Drawing on 25 years in human resources, Pinkerton's Melissa Muir details how involuntary separations compressed into brief, transactional meetings can escalate insider threat risk. Her framework bridges the gap between HR and security, emphasizing coordinated planning, dignified communication, and post-departure monitoring to safeguard workplaces during turbulent times.

HR Executive, Published May 20, 2026