Workforce Reduction and the Need for Outplacement Services

Employee reduction due to reasons such as merger & acquisitions, restructuring etc. has become a reality now. So it is important to ensure that the victims are treated in a just way. This reduces the chances of the survivors, the remaining employees, to perceive the management as insensitive. Providing outplacement assistance for existing employees is a critical part of managing the transition process. Outplacement is a process through which the counsellor helps the concerned employee in engaging oneself with new opportunities and giving directions for the same. In other words, it is a career continuation programme, where the outplacement counsellor's help is taken to smoothen the transition from the last job to the next career. At the same time, it goes a long way in strengthening the organization — society interface, even during such unpleasant times.