Choosing an outplacement provider: five things to consider

There isn’t always anything that can be done about workplace restructuring and particularly that most dreaded of all processes – redundancy. As an employer it can feel like an admission of failure to have to let employees go.  With the help of an outplacement provider you won’t be sending them away with nowhere to turn. As you would expect, however, there are no shortage of outplacement providers out there for you to choose from – so how do you select the best company for your needs? Consider these five factors and you’ll always make the right choice for the good of your departing employees.

Value

More often than not, redundancy comes about as a result of financial difficulty. An outplacement provider, naturally, is a paid-for service, so now more than ever you’ll no doubt be seeking value for money from this particular transaction. Value, however, is not always imbued by a low price. As well as considering the cost of outplacement services, it’s important to determine the quality that your money will get you. Only by considering these four other factors can you ensure that your outplacement provider is value for money.

Service

What type of service will your outplacement provider offer departing employees? Some outplacement providers utilise group sessions, in which employees get to meet their career coaches face-to-face, but must share their time with others. Renovo prefers a one-to-one approach, where clients have constant access to their career coaches and can contact them over the phone, via email, Skype and even in person. Our approach helps to provide flexible, accessible and affordable outplacement support to all of our clients, but it’s up to you to determine what level of service is the most appropriate for your needs.

Comprehensive support

It’s easy to forget that being made redundant isn’t a purely practical concern. Losing one’s job is not only practically and financially difficult but emotionally traumatic, too. Too many outplacement providers focus on the two former concerns without dedicating enough time and effort to dealing with the effects of emotional trauma – it’s important that you select an outplacement provider that offers consistent and comprehensive support. Our award-winning career coaches treat each of their clients individually, providing unique emotional support on a case-by-case basis.

Recommendation

The decision as to which outplacement provider to choose is not one you’ll be asked to make alone. It’s important to look at the history and legacy of a company before you make a commitment, referring to prior recommendations and case studies that reveal just how an outplacement provider can help. If a company has received glowing recommendations from previous clients, you can be safe in the knowledge that their services will likely work for you.

Statistics

Prior recommendations are only one way of determining the efficacy of an outplacement provider’s services. Statistics and figures will help you to see just how effective a certain company is – if the company you’re considering hasn’t made theirs public, you’ll have to consider just why that might be...

Renovo is one of the UK’s leading providers of outplacement and career transition support. We work with both organisations and individuals to support all their career transition requirements. If you would like to understand how Renovo can help you please call 0800 612 2011 or email info@renovo.co.uk