Don’t underestimate the value of a positive outplacement experience
An overview of the importance of a positive exit by Martin Nicholson, MD and Founder of ProAction HR.
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A lot is said of the value to your retained staff when a redundant employee is shown dignity and respect and provided with support to find their next role.
However, let’s take a moment to examine the value to their outgoing work colleague.
I have been an HR professional for 25 years now and in that time, I’ve had to manage complex restructures and downsizing of businesses, sometimes even in the very best of market conditions. Whatever the business reason, it is never a pleasant process. Depending on an individual’s own personal experiences it can place them anywhere on the change curve of emotions and those emotions can change by the hour. I know as I’ve been made redundant and on that rollercoaster of emotions that ensues!
Being the messenger of the bad news – you often see those reactions first hand but rarely does it become personal (thankfully). More often than not you see the individual at the point they leave that organisation in one of two states;
Relieved and looking forward to the next step in their life
Fearful and concerned about immediate financial pressure plus career
It is absolutely imperative to manage the redundancy process professionally and I am always mindful to ensure it is done with genuine empathy. I will do the best for each person and treat them as individuals and with the utmost respect.
And this is where outplacement can and does come into its own.
If it is just a single 1.5 hour coaching session with an external facilitator:
That emotional roller coaster the individual is on can be calmed.
Any resentment that may naturally build up (especially if the exit wasn’t done with empathy or respectfully) can be released.
Future interviewers will not identify their reason for leaving as a negative battle between themselves and their former employer
But perhaps most importantly, the skills of an outplacement coach will proactively help the individual identify their future goals whether that be;
Retirement
Consulting
Business start-up
Next step in their career
Change in career direction
And the value to your organisation? Heaps, but maybe for once let’s place the organisation last and we can discuss that another time!
The value to you if you are the manager who has to make anyone redundant? Your sense of doing right by your team and for your organisation – as a certain credit card has coined the phrase – “Priceless”.