What Is Outplacement?

If you’re new to outplacement, you likely have a lot of questions about it. What is outplacement? Who is it for? How can it help my company? Read on for answers to these and other frequently asked questions.

A new female employee is onboarded with her new team

In the age of social media and employer review sites, the employee-employer relationship has changed tremendously. Gone are the days when employees stayed with an employer for decades, building their careers within a single company. Today, people switch jobs often and publicly share their opinions about their employers on Glassdoor, Facebook, and Twitter, especially when exiting the company.

This has made company transitions, such as layoffs and other involuntary employee exits, critical moments for companies concerned about brand protection.

To forestall negative ratings and reviews, forward-thinking companies seek to create a positive offboarding experience for affected employees so that they depart with a healthy attitude towards the company. Outplacement can play a key part in these efforts.

Learn more about our outplacement solution.

What Is Outplacement?

Outplacement is an employee benefit provided by a company to workers who have recently been laid off. The service involves employers helping their exiting employees to find new work and transition smoothly back into the workforce.

Generally, a company will enlist the help of an outplacement firm to deliver such niche services, including but not limited to career coaching, resume help, and job search support, to affected employees.

Although outplacement has always been used as a strategy to support employees, the way this service is provided has shifted significantly in recent years to meet companies’ changing needs.

When outplacement first emerged in the 1960s, companies typically offered career assistance primarily to executives and upper-level employees, providing them with a satellite office, phone and assistant to aid in looking for employment. Today, companies seek to offer outplacement not just to a select few, but to all affected employees across every level of an organization. The aim is to better protect brand reputation and support the employees who have historically been underserved in times of transition.

In addition, in today’s digital age, employees have come to expect convenience from any service they engage with, and outplacement is no different. Modern outplacement services can offer coaching and resources that are easily accessible and on-demand through the click of a button.

Outplacement services can be used by companies who are looking to downsize, thinking about restructuring or making layoffs for monetary reasons.

Summary:

    • Outplacement is for employees who have been laid off

    • The service can help them to find another job

    • It can protect your brand reputation during difficult times, such as during layoffs

    • It is for all employees at all levels of a business

What is outplacement counseling?

Outplacement counseling helps employees to assess their skills and identify their strengths, while also training them to market themselves to future employers. It is sometimes known as career coaching, and it can help your employees to find their next job more quickly. It is just one part of the overall outplacement process.

What is outplacement assistance?

Outplacement assistance involves making sure your employees are as prepared as possible for their next job search. It involves coaching them for interviews, improving or writing their resume, helping them network with relevant people, and navigate job boards to find their next role as quickly as possible.

Learn how INTOO Outplacement can protect your brand and bottom line.

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