Outplacement isn't a right but it's the right thing

Employers don't have to pay for job transition services after they fire workers, but many do.

Sprint Nextel, the largest employer and largest "layoff-er" in the metro area, has provided varying degrees of well-publicized outplacement assistance since it began its mass layoffs several years ago.

Over time, the quality and length of the services the company pays for have varied. But the practice has continued to be a part of its severance packages.

The highly publicized Sprint situation has caused workers let go from other companies to conclude they should get the same treatment. In reality, no workplace laws require severance pay or post-severance services.

But, here's why outplacement services are a good idea, according to a new white paper published by Right Management (an outplacement company, which obviously would say so!):

* Public relations. Even if staff is eliminated, it gives an impression to outsiders of caring what happens to them next.

* Risk management. It helps protect against litigation from angry former workers.

* Social responsibility. It helps former workers improve their chances of obtaining another good job.

* Workforce improvement. By giving workers training and tools to conduct better job searches, it raises the quality of the job candidate pool.

* Staff morale. "Surviving" employees may feel better about the process and the business reasons behind it.

Whether it's one-on-one counseling or access to better job-search technology than a worker has on his or her own, outplacement can help in what is a traumatic time for many.

Several companies and individual career counselors provide outplacement services in the Kansas City area, as they do in other cities.

Comments

[kmb]

Anyone looking for security in a new job should NOT look to Sprint!

I've always told recruiters, "I'll work anywhere but Sprint - I can't live with the stress of not knowing whether or not I'll have a job the next day."