Readers of Management Today benefit from a 'Crash Course in .... Keeping Your Staff Engaged' in this month's issue.  Journalist Alexander Garrett consulted various experts on the subject - including yours truly, Lesley Allman - and shares what he learnt in his column.  His concluding advice on what to say to employees in tough times is: 'We will be honest and open with our people, and show them the way forward, but we will also be realistic about our prospects during this downturn.' He also advises employers not to say 'we're all doomed'  (although I think we might have figured that one out for ourselves).  My pearls of wisdom were slightly more practical i.e. avoid a communication vacuum, which will soon fill up with speculation and rumour, and don't forget to celebrate success, so that everything is not focussed on doom and gloom.  If times are tough in your organisation, however I don't think I'd suggest a 'dress up in school uniform day' despite it being advocated in the MT column - there is a time and a place for frivolity and slap bang in the middle of a major downturn is probably not it.  The April issue of Management Today is not yet available online, but you can read previous 'Crash Courses' by Alexander Garrett at: http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/