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PUBLICATION

Title:	“Integrity is Doing the Right Thing, Even If Nobody is Watching!” Why provide outplacement services to severed employees?
Source:	Chicago Hospital News
Publish Date:	04/01/2008
Author:	Mary Speiser

“Integrity is Doing the Right Thing, Even If Nobody is Watching!”
Why provide outplacement services to severed employees?
By Mary Speiser
http://www.chicagohospitalnews.com/pdf/CHN_04_08_pgs_1-20.pdf

Whether it was a “bad” hire – just not the right fit, a reduction in workforce, a merger, acquisition or facility closure, providing outplacement services to separated individuals eases the transition for both the employer and the employee. The loss of a job is a professional and emotional challenge for the affected individual. This challenge presents a myriad of trials and tribulations while being forced to make major life decisions: financial, determining their objective moving forward, relocation, relationship communications, travel, etc…the list goes on. Losing a job is a very painful and often times humiliating experience. Having to leave an organization without being part of the decision making process is a tough process to manage.

The initiative to offer greater “care” and responsibility for workers who are displaced offers a win to all involved. When the difficult decisions have to be made, it is equally painful for the decision makers to have to let people go. Offering outplacement helps to relieve some of the guilt, keeps unemployment costs down, and significantly reduces risk of litigation for wrongful discharge. Not only does it show compassion for the separated employees, it shows concern for their future as well as a moral factor for remaining employees.

A committed outplacement firm can and should assist in determining the possibilities for an individual’s life – not just the professional aspect, but the personal side as well. Today’s outplacement candidates look for some of these characteristics and options in a program:

Get started right away, begin the outplacement quickly, so transitions are smoother and more likely to produce opportunities.

A human touch, compassion and hope as they grieve the loss of a job. There is no substitute for human interaction.

Assistance in defining their objective, purpose for achievement and to develop a capacity within to understand their own perceptions. Through this process one can create a vision for meeting and conquering the challenges of every aspect of their life.

Extensive interviewing and assessment, evaluation of true self and the determination of individual needs and desires. From this comes the creation of a plan to meet these long-term goals by taking the first steps in a job search that will serve as a springboard to lasting personal and professional satisfaction.

Career guidance and expertise, personal support from career consultants and industry knowledge.

Skills and resources, access to the tools and resources to assist them in conducting and managing an effective career transition.

A safe landing, increased accountability from both parties, continuously staying connected until they secure a new position or opportunity at no additional cost.

When faced with the daunting task of reducing staff, do the right thing and provide support and assistance. According to the authors, Adrian Gostick and Dan Telford of the book The Integrity Advantage, “Integrity of one of the few things in life you can take with you, wherever you go. It becomes a part of you and sticks with you through economic downturns just as it does in the good times. It’s something that no one can take away from you.”

Mary Speiser is a Senior Consultant at First Transitions, Inc., a corporate-sponsored career transition and executive coaching firm specializing in the healthcare field. She can be reached at 630/571-3311, 312/541-0294 or at mspeiser@firsttransitions.com. You can also visit the website at www.firsttransitions.com.