More employers seeking outplacement services
Finally a bright spot: more employers are trying to ease the uncertainty of downsizing.
The current recession has led to a slew of layoffs, so it’s not hard to understand why many people consider this the worst period in their lifetime to be part of the workforce.
But if there’s anything positive to take away from the downturn, it may be the increased interest in and awareness of the importance of offboarding employees the right way.
The economic downturn …gave rise to an increasing number of companies taking an interest in outplacement. Outplacement has become a sure-fire way (no pun intended) for employers and employees alike to have the best possible experience during the downsizing process. It not only helps displaced employees amp up their skills and find their next job, but it also helps employers maintain a good image of their company and its practices.
More employers were already beginning to realize that last year, according to a separation practices study that found:
More employers have adopted outplacement as a solution to preserve their employer brand and reputation. In 2001: 53% of companies offered outplacement services to all officers and all senior executives compared to 67% in 2008—an increase of 26%; 50% of companies offered outplacement services to all executives compared to 65% in 2008—an increase of 30%; 39% of companies offered outplacement services to all exempt employees compared to 55% in 2008—an increase of 41%.
In the U.K., The Guardian reports this month that public-sector layoffs are likely to create a similar demand for outplacement services, even as they’re cutting operating costs:
So why would central HR departments bother with outplacement services when budgets are so tight? To some extent this would depend on the resources they have. Outplacement specialists – well some of the larger ones – will be able to handle the fall out from redundancy and restructuring programmes, from dealing with the legal aspects of redundancy, to helping those who lose their jobs find other options, to refocusing and re-energising those employees who stay on.
If this trend continues, we may at least look back on this recession as a turning point for how employers deal with cuts in the workforce.
