Outplacement Services in Toowoomba, the Darling Downs, Surat Basin and Brisbane

McDougall HR - Provinding Outplacement Services & Outplacement Programs in South East Queensland

Outplacement is the industry term for retrenchment and redundancy issues (and processes) facing employers and employees. What it endeavours to do is assist both the employee and the employer to make a smooth transition when the employee leaves the workplace.

Issues facing the employer can range from a disgruntled staff member facing involuntary redundancy or retrenchment, through to a general feeling of unrest within the existing body of employees that remain at the workplace. This latter issue can lead to decreased performance amongst employees and productivity can drop significantly.

An effective outplacement program will not only ensure that a departing employee will exit happily and confidently, but your existing staff will be assured that you, the employer, has their best interests at heart and therefore a level of security.

McDougall HR's Outplacement Programs can range from the full design and implementation of a reduction of staff through to a relatively simple counselling session with a departing employee, to ensure that there is not an excess of "bitterness".

Once you have decided that one (or a number) of your team needs to be retrenched or made redundant, there are some important factors to take into account. Some of these elements and issues of Outplacement (and retrenchment and redundancy) are:

• Is your employee actually "beyond salvation"? That is, is there a simple, underlying problem that you have not found, that could be righted through discussions with an external party, such as an employee assistance councillor? Remember, training staff takes your valuable time and money and therefore, if it is a simple issue, maybe we can assist to "put a finger on the problem" and therefore retain your employee
• Have you followed the correct legislative procedures in the termination process? If you haven't read the Workplace Relations Act for a while, it is suggested that you revisit it and be assured that you have followed the steps. Termination of an employee can be a minefield if not done correctly
• Is your employee in a union and if so, have you discussed the termination with the union? In the past, unions can often suggest outplacement programs such as this and they may be easier to deal with if they know that you are making every effort to assist the individual leaving.

These are just some of the issues facing an employer about to embark on a realignment of their workforce numbers. McDougall HR can assist you through the minefield and ensure that not only is the departing staff member adequately cared for, but your existing team is confident in the organisation.