Laying off an employee is difficult for everyone involved. Nobody wants to go through that process, including the employer doing the firing, but this is especially true for the individual getting fired. For that person, this means starting the job hunt from scratch and feeling uncertainty about the future.
There are a few things that can be done to alleviate the termination, the top option being outplacement services for employees. Outplacement services are specifically directed at laid off employees who need some assistance with the job search.
What exactly is outplacement?
Outplacement services are provided by an agency that specializes in finding jobs for individuals who have recently been terminated. A company leader is responsible for deciding whether or not outplacement is a wise investment. Once that has been decided, an outplacement agency can be chosen and those professionals will take action when the time comes.
What services are provided?
In addition to resume writing assistance, outplacement agents provide a wide range of services. The specific services that are provided depend greatly on the agency you have chosen to partner with. These agencies vary in quality, cost, and services provided.
The top outplacement providers generally provide interview coaching, career planning sessions, and job search coaching in addition to resume writing. Just remember that the more services provided, the higher the cost is likely to be.
Is it really worth it?
Now the question is, “How much does outplacement cost and is it really worth it?” Just like there is a variety when it comes to services provided, there is a wide range of cost options and pricing plans for outplacement. You will be required to pay for each employee you wish to provide coverage for.
Agencies that are lower in quality will definitely be cheaper, but they also have lower success rates on helping your employees reenter the workforce. The smart move is to pay a bit more for a high-quality outplacement program. This costs an average of $1500 per employee depending on the plan you choose.
Other Ways to Help Laid-Off Employees
Outplacement is by far the best method for helping terminated employees and has proven positive results. However, there are methods other than outplacement (or in addition to it) that can help in layoffs. One way to do this is to assist with networking and provide networking opportunities.
Employees who have been working for your company for years probably haven’t had to think about networking in a long time. The concept is similar to a long-time marriage that ends in divorce. The recent divorcees probably have very little experience in the dating world, and it can be difficult to get back into it.
The same goes for networking skills and a recently terminated employee. To help alleviate the situation, it would be in your (and your employees) best interest to provide a seminar on boosting networking skills or even organize networking events. Don’t just offer this for your terminated employees, but everyone in your company.
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