Outplacement what is it and is it worth accepting the empolyer's offer?

Being laid off can be one of the most stressful moments in one's career. Suddenly, you find yourself at a crossroads, wondering what comes next. In such moments, support is invaluable, and an outplacement program could be exactly what you need to find a new career path. Is it worth accepting an outplacement offer from an employer who is parting ways with you?

Anger overwhelms you - how could they do this to you!!! You can't believe your own ears, and your mind is engulfed by a vast emptiness... What now?? After so many years, after so many sacrifices... 

"We offer you the opportunity to participate in a career transition program to support your smooth entry into the external job market...." The last piece of information conveyed by the HR department representative lingers in your mind.

Losing a job is a highly stressful experience. Sometimes, after years and a sober assessment of the situation from a distance, we realize that it was for the best - the layoff gave us the proverbial "kick" to find another interesting occupation (which probably wouldn't have happened without the layoff). Moreover, we could have anticipated it by observing market trends (e.g., consolidations, transferring competencies to low-cost countries, sociological changes - decreased demand) or the not-so-stable situation of the company - we could have taken necessary steps earlier to make the professional change less stressful. We could have, but we didn't....

How can our employer help us land softly?

Lucky are those who receive a substantial severance package or support in finding a new position. Some companies finance an outplacement program for employees being laid off. It is always a voluntary program - you can either take advantage of it or sometimes receive its financial equivalent (depending on the position, it ranges from several to several tens of thousands). Financing the program is a gesture towards employees, a kind of thank you for their work and appreciation of their role in the organization.

What can the program include?

Depending on the level of the position held, the program can be more or less extensive. As a rule, the higher the position, the more generous the offer. Outplacement or career transition programs may include issues such as:

• Support in identifying competencies, strengths, professional preferences, and career planning
• Help in processing emotions related to the layoff and preparing for new professional challenges
• Assistance in creating a professional CV, cover letter, and profile on professional social media (e.g., LinkedIn)
• Training/mentoring in effective job searching, networking, using job portals and social media
• Preparation for effectively presenting oneself and communicating competencies in job interviews
• Providing information about current job market trends, growing industries, and sought-after competencies What does it bring you?

Let's face it - you can't turn back time, and you simply have no control over your layoff. "The die is cast" - you can either dwell on what you could have, should have, and why "they did this to you," or "get up, dust yourself off, and move on." Everyone needs time to accept the new reality. During the outplacement program, this time is efficiently utilized - you get used to the new situation while actively entering the job market.

By deciding to participate in an outplacement program, you open doors to new opportunities. It's a chance not only to find a new job but also to rethink your career and make any necessary adjustments to its direction. Outplacement is not just assistance in difficult times but primarily an investment in your professional future, enabling you to find not just a new job, but a job that brings satisfaction and meets your professional ambitions.

Outplacement Program - Negotiate it as Part of Your Compensation Package

To ensure you receive an outplacement package in case of being laid off, it's worth taking a few strategic steps. Here are some of them:

• Negotiations upon employment: even at the stage of negotiating employment terms, you can bring up the topic of an outplacement package as part of the social package or employee benefits, especially if you're applying for a mid-level or higher position. Ask about the possibility of including such support in your employment contract.
• Building good relationships at work: maintaining positive relationships with supervisors and the HR department can be crucial at the time of layoff. Employees who are perceived as valuable to the organization are more likely to receive support in difficult moments.
• Raising awareness about outplacement: you can also work to increase awareness about the benefits of outplacement among the management and coworkers, which may contribute to including such support in the standard layoff procedures in the company.
• Expressing the need: in the situation when you're informed about the layoff, directly express the need for support in the form of outplacement. Argue that such support is beneficial not only for you but also for the company, showing its care for the employees and their professional future.
• Preparing the justification: prepare a justification for why access to outplacement services will be valuable for you. You can point out specific benefits, such as faster finding a new job, skill development, or psychological support during the career change.
• Negotiating the outplacement package: if the company does not automatically offer outplacement, you can try to negotiate its receipt as part of the severance package. Be prepared to present arguments for such support, such as long-term benefits for the company's image.