The Benefits of Engaging Professional Outplacement Services

In today’s dynamic business environment, organisational restructures and redundancies are sometimes unavoidable. 

While these changes can be challenging, engaging professional outplacement services can significantly benefit both employees and employers.

Outplacement services provide transitioning employees with career coaching, planning personal finances, resume development, interview preparation, and job search strategies, easing their move into new employment opportunities. They can also assist with career aspirations such as starting a new business,  returning to studies, or even a transition into retirement if they desire.

Losing a job can be an overwhelming experience, leading to financial and emotional stress. 

Professional outplacement services offer structured support, helping individuals regain confidence and secure new roles faster. Studies indicate that employees who receive outplacement assistance find new jobs up to 50% faster than those who do not (Gandolfi & Hansson, 2011). 

Personalised coaching and career guidance enable individuals to align their skills with market demands, ensuring a smoother transition. 

Providing outplacement services demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to employee wellbeing, reinforcing a positive employer brand. 

Companies known for ethical and supportive separation practices are more likely to attract and retain top talent (Cascio, 2014). Moreover, handling redundancies with care reduces the risk of reputational damage, maintaining good relationships with remaining employees, customers, and industry partners. 

Unstructured redundancies can lead to legal disputes, workplace dissatisfaction, and declining morale. 

Outplacement services help mitigate these risks by ensuring clear communication and structured support. When exiting employees feel supported, remaining staff are more likely to stay engaged and productive, reducing turnover and minimising disruption to business operations (Hirsch, 2017). 

Investing in professional outplacement services is a strategic decision that benefits both departing employees and organisations. By demonstrating care, maintaining reputation, and ensuring smooth transitions, businesses can foster long-term success in an ever-evolving workplace. 

When looking for an outplacement provider look for one which provides ongoing open access to career and counselling support, provides a transparent view of transitioning employees progress and overall program costs, flexibility in the length of programs available to suit different types of transitioning employees, and follows a consistent outplacement model including key milestones.