A new year brings with it new resolutions, refreshed goals and exciting plans for the year ahead.
Sadly, global issues and a cost of living crisis results in a turbulent business environment. Workforce changes are an inevitable part of a changing business landscape. In order to navigate these challenging times, organisations may face restructuring, downsizing, merger and acquisition activities or even closure, leading to redundancies and the need for employees to find new work opportunities.
As tough as it is for business owners to make redundancies, outplacement support can soften the blow and provides guidance and support for those at risk of redundancy.
What is outplacement support?
Outplacement support is a service provided by employers to help employees who have been made redundant or whose jobs are at risk, successfully transition to new employment opportunities. It offers a range of resources and guidance to aid individuals in navigating the job market, developing their career skills, and finding suitable positions or investigate new work opportunities.
Outplacement support services can be tailored to the specific needs of the individual and the organisation and include:
- One-on-one career counselling
- CV and cover letter writing support
- Interview preparation and coaching
- Job search strategies and resources
- LinkedIn profile review
- Guidance to online job boards, career portals and proactive job searching
- Networking opportunities and industry events
Outplacement support plays a crucial role in assisting employees during this challenging period.
I don’t know if you have ever been made redundant? I have, thankfully only once, but unfortunately for me, I also happened to be 12 weeks pregnant at the time, and on the cusp of letting my employer know. Outplacement support wasn’t provided, although my employer was supportive.
For me at this tricky time, outplacement support would have been about the pastoral side of things. An understanding ear. I was lucky enough to be secure a short term temporary campaign recruitment project from an ex colleague. It fitted in perfectly with my pregnancy and took away the financial pressure.
My husband was made redundant after 14 years with his employer, in a job he loved. He was provided with outstanding outplacement support. Group workshops as well as individual sessions. I could see the investment his company had made in their employees, even when they would be saying goodbye to them. It helped him transition his mindset from one day loving his work with people he had worked alongside for 14 years, to the next day facing 3 months garden leave and being without the job he loved.
Now, with the shoe on the other foot, I get immense satisfaction from providing outplacement support to people being made redundant.Aside from the training work I do in my business, I also do a lot of recruitment and outplacement is the flip side of recruitment. Working every day within the recruitment market brings a new dimension to the support I can give people facing redundancy.
I know the market. I know what employers are looking for. I also know the challenges, which believe me, do change regularly in the wonderful world of recruitment. Having been there myself, I know the emotional impact redundancy has and how important it is to spend your time wisely.
Writing CVs and coaching people in interview technique is something I do daily whilst supporting my clients with recruitment, yet it feels so much more important when I am doing this work with those facing redundancy. It isn’t just about the practical skills of job searching, it’s about rebuilding self-esteem, confidence and motivation.
There is a big difference between those choosing to look for a new job and those having job hunting forced upon them and being able to support people with empathy and kindness during this difficult time is very rewarding.
If you are an employer needing to make redundancies, not only is providing your people with outplacement support the right thing to do, it also demonstrates to all employees that the company cares about their well-being and is committed to their success. In turn, this will enhance the company’s reputation and foster loyalty among current employees.
Outplacement programmes help to handle job losses with sensitivity and professionalism. This can mitigate negative employee morale and public perception, minimising the potential for legal challenges or negative media coverage. At risk of sounding like a broken record, I will say it again…. Its also the right thing to do!
If you need to make redundancies and would like to support your people through this tough time…. get in touch!
