Outplacement: Supporting Smooth Career Transitions
When redundancy becomes necessary, it can be a difficult experience for both the employee and the organisation.
Employers need to manage the redundancy process carefully, including any consultation, notice, redundancy pay and other applicable employment obligations. But supporting employees through redundancy is about more than meeting legal requirements.
Outplacement provides practical and professional support to help people navigate the transition, rebuild confidence and prepare for their next career opportunity.
What is outplacement?
Outplacement is a structured support program designed to help employees transition from redundancy to their next role or career opportunity.
Support may include career coaching, identifying transferable skills, job search strategies, resume and interview preparation, LinkedIn advice and confidence building.
For employers, offering outplacement can provide practical support at a difficult point in the employment relationship and help demonstrate that affected employees are being treated respectfully throughout the transition.
Outplacement is not a substitute for meeting redundancy, consultation or other employment obligations. Those requirements need to be managed separately as part of a properly planned redundancy process.
How can outplacement support employees?
Redundancy can leave people uncertain about what comes next. Even experienced professionals can find it difficult to step back, assess their skills and approach the job market with confidence.
Our Outplacement Program provides individual support to help participants:
reflect on their career goals and transferable skills
identify suitable roles and target markets
develop effective job search strategies
refine resumes and prepare for interviews
improve their LinkedIn profile and digital presence
build confidence during the transition
develop a practical plan for their next career move.
The program is tailored to the individual and delivered through one-on-one coaching sessions with an experienced facilitator.
Supporting employees through organisational change
Outplacement is often part of a broader organisational change process.
Restructures, mergers, acquisitions, downsizing and changes to business operations can affect employees in different ways. Managing these changes requires careful planning, communication and consideration of the impact on affected employees.
Read Managing Workplace Change >
Outplacement can then provide a more targeted layer of support for employees whose roles are ending as a result of that change.
Why consider independent outplacement support?
Some organisations have the internal capability to provide career transition support. Others choose to engage an external specialist.
An independent facilitator can provide dedicated support to affected employees while allowing internal leaders and HR teams to focus on managing the broader change process.
External support can also give participants a confidential space to discuss their career goals, challenges and next steps with someone outside the organisation.
Supporting a respectful transition
Redundancy is never easy, but the way an organisation manages the process can make a significant difference to the experience of affected employees.
A well-planned approach combines sound HR and workplace relations practices with clear communication and practical support.
Workplace Plus provides tailored Outplacement Programs to help organisations support employees through redundancy and transition with professionalism, care and practical career guidance.
For more information, contact us today.
Read Our Reviews:
Outplacement Programs delivered by Workplace Plus
“Thank you so much for your help, there is no way I would have got through that gruelling interview panel without the skills you taught me in your Outplacement Program. I will always appreciate your kindness and support.”
“Looks like I've got a job! Thank you for your efforts in preparing me for the job market, and particularly for your encouragement.”
"I have received great feedback and appreciation for the coaching that our Workplace Plus consultant provided in the Outplacement Program, with many staff securing a position. Thank you for the professional and personable interaction you have had with our organisation."
