Outplacement Prevents Lawsuits           

Eventually, almost all companies face dealing with employee layoffs or terminations.  This can be due to economic change, poor product planning, individual misconduct, or negligence.   How a company handles the way they release their employees can have a major impact on their public image, future financial situation (lawsuits) and company growth down the road. 

Companies often make mistakes in this process.  They can include lack of careful planning, surprising the individual or group, not offering outplacement assistance, offering the wrong severance package, treating those who have been dismissed with a lack of dignity, waiting too long, and/or believing that you can poorly handle the situation through lawsuits.  

Companies need to realize that employees who have been let go create fearful pictures of the future. They become scared that they will not be able to find another job and will be in financial ruin. Former employees may feel that so many companies are downsizing that they will never find work.  They may also hear that many of their friends are out of work too. Further, they may believe that their job-hunting skills are virtually non-existent.  Without a strong, forceful intervention, the destructive and fearfulness in their mind may take over and soon everything looks bleak. When people feel that the future is hopeless, that it is going to be discouraging or painful, they often want to blame someone. That someone is generally you, their former employer.

Outplacement is a WIN/WIN strategy for both management and departing employees.  Outplacement lets the former employee vent their feelings without dwelling on them.  We help them defuse their anger.  In certain cases, Outplacement helps the individual realize how they may have contributed to their own demise.  We help them develop effective job search strategies and a positive attitude.  We provide them with support.  There are hundreds of job-search books for sale, but separated employees are often depressed, or angry or isolated to put this advice into practice. They need a coach; someone to help prioritize, to motivate, to assess progress, to set goals. Outplacement is the coach for the terminated employee.  We can give the former employee hope, raises their self-esteem, and keep them focused on the future.