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As a business entrepreneur and as a manager with forty-five years of frontline experience, people occasionally ask me what was the most difficult and unpleasant task you’ve had to deal with during your career. Was it applying for a bank loan, losing business to a competitor, or having to initiate a layoff or terminating an employee?

I must say the most difficult task is implementing layoffs or terminating an employee. Looking an employee in the eye and delivering the terrible news, when in some cases it may be due to circumstances beyond their control, is, in my opinion, the hardest task a manager or supervisor ever has to face. The stress on both sides of the desk is always palpable. Larger firms have Human Resources departments that they can delegate the task to, smaller firms usually have their line managers deal with it directly. In smaller firms – such as startups – the owner usually bears the brunt.

When large firms face this difficult issue, they lighten the stress by making outplacement services available to select employees. This helps the displaced employee focus on their job search and it gives the employee an organization that can guide them through the difficult search process. It also lowers the stress on the manager charged with implementing the layoff. It allows the manager to say: “We are not abandoning you. You will have a place to go and a support group to help find a new position faster.”

Although it’s a great option, outplacement services can be costly and they are rarely offered to middle managers or front line staff.  Typical fees for this service can reach up to $10,000 per displaced employee for only six months of support.  Mid-sized and small firms usually can’t afford that expense, so managers must handle it directly with the employee and the discharged employee is left to their own devices. The discharged employee usually feels abandoned and may leave with very bad feelings towards the company.

I am happy to announce that CareerPlace has introduced a new outplacement service specifically designed for mid-sized and small organizations with limited resources. Outplacement by CareerPlace™ allows you to offer outplacement support to impacted employees at all levels. Former clients have compared the CareerPlace programs to commercial services and reported significant benefits. CareerPlace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and receives funding from community support and has more than 30 volunteers. Outplacement by CareerPlace™ is funded by contributions from employers like you.

Sooner than later, you may face the difficult task of having to layoff an employee. Working with Outplacement by CareerPlace™ can help you get through this difficult problem and give your displaced workers the help they need.

To learn more about Outplacement by CareerPlace™, please click here or call 847-304-4157.