Retrenchment or termination can be one of the most stressful times of someone’s professional life. Whether the employment market is tight or not, thinking about how one will find their next job may bring stress and worry. Employers can make this period less stressful by offering retrenched workers the opportunity of an outplacement service and helping them transition to their next chapter.
What is Outplacement?
Outplacement is a service that assists redundant workers to find their next job. Workers usually access the service as part of their redundancy package and is paid for by their ex-employer. The service can include assistance with writing or updating their resume, preparing a cover letter, interview skills, career advice, looking for a new job, and salary negotiation.
Outplacement Support
Outplacement services can be provided in-house but most organisations use a third-party. There are often different outplacement packages that an employer can provide. Generally, the more senior a retrenched worker is, the more generous and costly the package is. It may take longer for a senior employee to find a similar role elsewhere so they may use the outplacement service longer than a junior employee who may not access the service at all to find their next role.
Outplacement services may be provided through individual meetings, group coaching sessions or a mix of both. Many service providers offer an online portal for accessing a range of resources. An employee may begin accessing the outplacement services while they’re still working for their ex-employer or after their employment contract has been terminated.
Reasons for Using an Outplacement Service Provider
#1 Reputation of the Organisation
Organisations may be on a staff redundancy period today, but most likely, will be looking for new talent tomorrow. Word of mouth on the way an organisation views its employees is always important, especially when actively recruiting. And for potential future employees to find out the organisation makes staff redundant without offering any support, it may be discouraging and not a positive sign of the organisation’s culture and HR practices.
Ex-employees will hopefully be a little less scathing in any online reviews they write if they have a positive experience with a professional outreach organisation to aid with a smooth transition.
#2 Sense of Good Corporate Citizenship & Responsibility
Employers recognise that retrenching or terminating employees can create significant upheaval for their former workers and even for themselves. Often an employer doesn’t want to retrench a worker because they have been a loyal and valuable contributor to the organisation but an organisation’s circumstances change. Having outplacement counselling to reassure workers of their worthiness and valuable work can make a huge difference
in one’s life and future endeavours.
#3 Makes the Job of Terminating Someone a Little Easier
If you’re a manager or supervisor who needs to give an employee the bad news, you’ll know how difficult the task can be. The employee may respond with anger, shock, sadness, or all of the above. Saying goodbye to their colleagues, doubting their worth and thinking about the financial impact, all at once can be overwhelming. Long-term employees may not know where to start on their job search journey. Offering outplacement services can serve as positive news you can provide in the conversation.
#4 Credibility with Existing Staff
The staff remaining at the organisation can feel distrust after seeing how hurt their colleagues and friends are when terminated. Witnessing how the outplacement services allow their colleagues to get a new job sooner and help in continuing with the next chapter, can generate a sense of relief.
Outplacement and career counselling services are a great way for employers and employees to benefit in tough situations. With services such as adjustment counselling, resume development, interview skills and more, conducted by experienced psychologists and employment consultants, we can help make the transition period less difficult for all involved.
For more information, contact us online or call 1800 258 487.