Large-scale change : can outplacement be delivered effectively, and remotely within a tight budget?

Large-scale change : can outplacement be delivered effectively, and remotely within a tight budget?

Yes, over the last year HDA has trialed an on-line and telephone-based support service delivered by seasoned HR professionals who are also experienced career consultants. Feedback over the past year has exceeded our own expectations, and those of many of our clients who have purchased HDA on-line programmes for their staff ñ usually where 50 or more redundancies are envisaged, and speed of support delivery has been considered key.

The approach allows a high level of care and pre-emptive follow up. Each individual is given an HDA welcome pack, online and/or print, and receives a phone call from the on-line consultant once the contact details are given to HDA.

The on-line consultant has a double objective for the first contact. First to check where the individual is with their acceptance of the situation, hear and help with immediate issues and to explain where the on-line and telephone programme supports them as they move forward in achieving their goals. Key benefits include:

ï HDAís online consultants are instantly available;

ï the service makes use of all of the benefits which technology provides, but with access at any time to experienced people with real knowledge and the right level of empathy;

ï there are no contact delays as there would be in arranging meetings ñespecially where change is across multiple locations;

ï the employer is seen to be providing an immediate and effective service to their people, which mirrors their level of care;

ï providing the service gives the right message to those who are staying, or may leave at a later date;

ï and the cost of supporting larger groups is contained.

With all the necessary job search material on-line including manuals, access to potential employers, recruitment agencies and psychometrics, the job search process is quick and effective. The on-line consultants can respond to requests for CV assistance and guide through the preparation for the all-important interview, which may be the next day. The HDA guidance is immediate to the problem.

Workshops and other types of support can be bolted on without too much impact on cost. Employees throughout the UK have the same access to the same consultants without the costs and time associated with travel and on-site services. Employees can leave at once or at any date in the future and all get exactly the same level of support the contents of which are closely tailored to match the needs of the individual.

HDA have developed a system for controlling each employee on the programme which enables the on-line consultants to see exactly where the individual is in their programme,
allowing them to concentrate on the individualís needs.

Prior to a large-scale project beginning our on-line consultants research local employer, recruitment consultants, training opportunities, local support for start-ups and any other information which may help them once the calls begin and they need to deliver the right information just at the right time of need.

This is first class effective support where tight budgets dictate, but where the organisation wants to provide a value-adding and convenient service to its staff. Proactive online career transition support really works!