Outplacement

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Providing outplacement support to employees who have been made redundant can help them greatly in making a fresh start. By coaching discharged employees, you also give a positive signal to your current workforce. You show that you take your responsibilities as an employer seriously and clearly indicate that you care about people. Moreover, for staff members over 45 with at least one year seniority, outplacement is not merely a privilege but a legal right. As an employer you are obliged to organise outplacement for this target group.

At Acerta, outplacement means more than helping discharged employees find a new job. In fact, we start by advising the employer. We help you communicate the news about upcoming redundancies in an honest and sensitive way to minimise the impact for employees. Immediately after a dismissal, the discharged employee is invited for an exit interview with one of our consultants.

The psychological support we offer is based on four milestones:

• Care
  You care about your employees so you look after them. This is especially true for employees who have been made redundant. Workers who lose their job are especially alert to signs of rejection. Through experience, we know that participants in outplacement programmes need to feel cared for and highly appreciate any effort in this direction. A personal and warm welcome at the outplacement office, a friendly secretary who takes the time for some small talk,… They may seem details, but for someone who has recently been dismissed they make a huge difference and can help rebuild a positive self-image.
• Availability
  A consultant that is hard to reach at crucial moments is rather inconvenient to a participant in an outplacement programme. In this regard, it is useful to set up a hotline so that employees can easily contact their consultant by phone. In practice, we notice that this hotline is rarely used. However, the idea that you could contact someone at any time, is very reassuring for someone who has recently been discharged.
• Cure
  At some stage in the outplacement process, the departing employee should be able to gain some perspective on the redundancy. Once there is a feeling of mutual trust between the consultant and the employee, the latter often unsolicited reflects on his or her part in the redundancy. Only then the healing process can start.
• Revealing new directions
  Once the discharged employee is coming to terms with the redundancy and his or her self-confidence is growing, it is important to focus on the future rather than dwelling on bitter feelings.

• Acerta’s flexible outplacement offer
• Preparation
• Psychological support
• Career advice
• Application and interview assistance
• Diligent assistance
• Supporting new entrepreneurs
• Customised to your business’ outplacement needs

Acerta’s flexible outplacement offer

Acerta is a certified outplacement agency with a team of experienced company and clinical psychologists, economists, language experts and administrative professionals who offer standardised packages or customised support for your employees and managers.

We offer three standardised support options of individual outplacement services on different levels: management, white-collar staff and manual workers. For each of the standard services we take into account the specific needs and individual profiles of the discharged employees. You can also opt for a mix of individual and collective outplacement services, or for a fully customised approach.

Below is an overview of actions taken by the Acerta consultants to assist both you and your employees.

Preparation

Before the redundancy process starts, we carefully prepare the upcoming dismissal interview with you. This includes thinking carefully about the redundancy announcement which should be made in a serene and sensitive way; and being well prepared for employee reactions and questions.

Psychological support

Immediately after the dismissal an Acerta consultant is on-site to assist employees. This means they receive immediate support – as soon as they hear the news. The following day, our consultant calls the discharged employee to assess the situation and provide the necessary support. Afterwards, and throughout the support process, the employee can reach the consultant through the outplacement hotline. Our consultant helps the departing employee to come to terms with the redundancy and offers practical advice and tips.

Career advice

To help a discharged employee to successfully find a suitable job, we can screen the employee’s personal and professional potential. We do this in an Assessment Center. Based on interviews, tests and surveys the departing employee gains insight into his or her competences and can make informed decisions about his or her professional career. You can find more information on screening in the section Assessment Center.

You do not have to wait for redundancies to rely on Acerta for career advice. We are happy to offer career advice at any time. You will find more information on this in the section Career Guidance.

Application and interview assistance

Acerta consultants help discharged employees draw up a job-application action plan. To put this into practice, we provide them with practical information on recruitment channels and inform them about vacancies published through ‘Jobkanaal’, a recruitment platform aimed at applicants over 50, immigrants and people with a work disability. This job site is reserved for registered Employment Officers only. Acerta also provides practical advice on application letter and CV writing in different languages. We also offer an outfit consultancy session as part of our standard services.

Diligent assistance

Through customised training and coaching, we help the discharged employee to be better prepared for job interviews. We hold an evaluation session after each interview. If the application is successful, Acerta can also help with the contract and salary negotiations. We complete the outplacement process with a follow-up session after your ex-employee has started in his or her new job.

Supporting new entrepreneurs

Acerta consultants also provide discharged employees with information on starting their own business. Our staff members of the Social Insurance Fund and Business One-Stop Shop offer practical advice and tips for start-ups.
Discharged employees who are interested in setting up a business are assisted by consultants who specialise in self-employed activities. Acerta also helps them to develop a business plan and oversee the start-up phase. As for the employed, the self-employed receive a follow-up session once their business is set up.

Customised to your business’ outplacement needs

The duration of outplacement programmes is determined by law. Usually, these programmes run for 12 months for staff members over 45 with at least one year’s seniority. Of course you can opt for exceeding this period and further supporting your ex-employees with outplacement services.

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