Outplacement is an employer sponsored benefit which provides a pathway for outgoing employees affected by redundancy. It helps affected employees transition into the job market or retirement and helps to facilitate acceptance of change.
As it’s additional money spent on individuals who are leaving the organisation at a time when it is often trying to “tighten its belt”, outplacement might seem like an unnecessary expense at a time when it can least be afforded. However, career transition services are often as advantageous to employers as they are to employees and can definitely be worth the added investment.
Improve reputation
Outplacement programmes send the message that an employer cares about its people. They may lessen negative feedback when redundancies arise and businesses that are viewed favorably by the public typically have a better chance of recruiting better talent in the future.
Mitigate risk
Employees commonly feel angry and / or frustrated when they are dismissed by reason of being made redundant, but if they know that their former employer has done / is doing something to help them get another job, it will serve to reduce bad feeling and ultimately the chances of a corresponding employment tribunal claim.
Reduces survivor syndrome
An important part of outplacement is communication. Employers who clearly explain that career assistance services were made available to any employees who were let go may help ease any guilt, job insecurity, fear and anger felt by staff who were not involved in or survived the redundancy process.
Financial Incentive
Payments for outplacement services that meet certain conditions are exempt from income tax. The conditions that must be satisfied are:
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- The only or main purpose of providing the services is to enable the employee to either adjust to the termination of employment or to find gainful employment or self employment.
- The person receiving the services has been an employee throughout the 2 years ending either when the services begin or when the employment ends.
EML’s outplacement programme
Our outplacement programme includes reviewing skills and experience, CV writing, job search advice, interview coaching and pre-retirement preparation. They are delivered via a series of interactive workshop sessions which are suitable for individuals at all levels, from manual staff through to senior managers and directors.
Successful re-employment depends on how well an individual is prepared and able to conduct a job search. Our outplacement experts will evaluate individual skills and experience, refine job searches, and help with company research and recruiter contacts. We can also provide social media training and tutorials for optimising LinkedIn profiles to help the outgoing employee expand their network.
Interviews these days can take place either online or in-person, something that individuals may have had no experience with. EML can guide the outgoing employees through this process, helping them to communicate verbally and to use the right body language. We can assist with all manner of interview preparation, including the STAR technique, to ensure that individuals are able to effectively showcase their skills and experience.
Outplacement retirement programme
Studies have shown that retirement plans are firmly back on employees’ agendas in the wake of the pandemic. At EML, we offer Retirement Awareness Workshops to ease the transition this involves. They enable employees who are considering retirement to be educated on both financial and lifestyle considerations, e.g. making a will, financial planning, emotional health and wellbeing, and employment and entrepreneurial possibilities.
Summary
Our outplacement programmes have proven to be highly effective in helping employees affected by redundancy or contemplating retirement.
We can design a programme to suit your organisation’s requirements and which is aligned with its budget.
For further details, please contact us on 01942 727200 and speak to a member of the team or email enquiries@employeemanagement.co.uk.
Last updated 13 December 2022