After a restructuring, you would have made a few of your valued employees redundant – which is never a nice feeling.
However, offering outplacement support services could not only be beneficial to your former employees, but beneficial to your business, and reputation as a compassionate employer. In this article, we’ll explore why you should consider providing outplacement support to your affected employees, and the key benefits they bring.
What is Outplacement?
Outplacement is a service provided by employers to assist employees who are being laid off, made redundant, or transitioning out of the company for other reasons. The goal of outplacement is to help employees successfully navigate their career transition, and support them through securing new employment opportunities.
The Benefits of Providing Outplacement Support
1. Enhancing Company Reputation
Offering outplacement services can emphasise your company’s commitment to employees’ well-being, even when the tough decision to let them go must be made. This can enhance your company’s reputation as a responsible and caring employer, something that is crucial in today’s competitive labour market.
Your employees’ experiences are important. Treating outgoing employees with respect and offering career transition services can reinforce your company’s values and culture. Overall, this positive perception can attract future talent who appreciate a company that cares about its people.
2. Minimising Legal Risks
New Zealand has strong employment laws aimed at protecting the rights of employees. Redundancy, if not handled correctly, can lead to costly legal disputes, especially if employees feel they’ve been treated unfairly. Offering outplacement services can help reduce the risk of legal challenges by showing that you have acted in good faith, and are willing to assist employees in finding new roles.
By providing support such as career counseling, CV writing, and interview coaching, you’ll demonstrate your commitment to a smooth and respectful transition. This proactive approach can also help avoid negative publicity, or costly legal processes that might arise from a poorly handled redundancy process.
3. Improving Employee Morale and Retaining Talent
When layoffs or redundancies happen, remaining employees often experience uncertainty and anxiety about their job security. Providing outplacement services for those who are leaving can help maintain the morale of your team. It shows that you value your employees and want them to succeed, even after their time with the company has ended.
Moreover, seeing that the company supports its employees during tough transitions can increase loyalty and retention among those who remain. If employees see that their company cares about them, even when letting them go, they may feel more secure and motivated to stay for the long term.
4. Boosting the Future Success of Ex-Employees
Outplacement services are not just about helping employees, they also create long-term benefits for businesses. A positive exit experience can lead to employees speaking highly of their former employer, which can be invaluable for networking, and your company’s reputation.
Additionally, employees who find new positions quickly and are successful in their careers are more likely to advocate for you as an employer in the future. These former employees can indirectly become ‘ambassadors’ for your brand, helping your company maintain a strong reputation in the industry.
5. Support for a Positive Company Culture
Outplacement services play a crucial role in supporting a positive company culture, particularly during periods of organisational change. When employers provide assistance to departing employees, it shows that the company is not only focused on the bottom line, but also values its people. This promotes a sense of respect and trust within your organisation.
By helping employees transition successfully, you’ll foster a sense of pride among current workers. They’re more likely to stay motivated, and perform well when they see that their company treats all employees, past and present, with care.
6. Access to Expertise and Resources
Outplacement services typically come with a wealth of expertise and resources that can assist employees in securing new positions. By leveraging the services of internal or outsourced outplacement services, you can ensure your outgoing employees are receiving the best possible guidance within the job market.
Additionally, many outplacement services provide networks and connections within various industries, providing employees with access to job opportunities that may not be available through traditional job search methods and websites.
7. Cost-Effective in the Long Run
While providing outplacement services comes with an upfront cost, it can ultimately save your company money in the long term. By supporting employees in their job search, your company can reduce the time and resources spent on dealing with negative impacts such as legal disputes, employee dissatisfaction, or even poor public perception.
Furthermore, as mentioned before, providing outplacement services may see reduced turnover, and increased retention among remaining employees. This will also help you avoid expending money and resources on the cost of hiring.
Conclusion
Offering outplacement services should be seen as an investment in both your company’s reputation, and its future success. It provides outgoing employees with the tools they need to transition smoothly to new roles, while simultaneously demonstrating your commitment to ethical business practices, legal compliance, and a positive company culture!
How we can Help
At People Associates, we offer compassionate outplacement and career transition services for employees affected by redundancy, ensuring they feel supported throughout the journey. With our tailored approach, we’ll help your business adapt to change while maintaining productivity, and team morale.
Want a free consultation?
Flick us a message here – or contact Lisa Oakley at lisa@peopleassociates.nz or on 027 573 5483.
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