In a small business, people often work closely together for years. Owners and managers know their employees personally, understand something of their lives outside work and value the contribution they have made.
That can make a redundancy decision feel particularly difficult. Financial pressures, a change in business direction or restructuring may make the decision necessary, but knowing why it needs to happen does not make the conversation easy.
For many small-business owners, the challenge is how to make a hard decision while doing the right thing by their people, both those leaving and those staying.
Professional outplacement support is not just for large organisations or large redundancy programs. Small businesses can access affordable support too, even when just one employee is leaving.
Support for the person beyond the role
Outplacement provides employer-funded career transition support for a departing employee. At Let’s Talk Career, we welcome enquiries from businesses supporting just one person. You do not need a large team, multiple redundancies or a dedicated HR department to offer your employee professional help with their next step.
The career transition support that large businesses provide for their people can be within reach of small businesses too. We can talk you through our packages and pricing so you can choose the support that suits your employee’s needs and your business’s budget.
Our goal is to provide support and care during a difficult time and help the individual land on their feet in new employment as quickly as possible.
That matters in challenging economic conditions, when finding another role can take time and confidence may have been shaken. Coaching provides someone to talk things through with and practical support for taking the next steps. The path and timing will be different for each person.
A thoughtful approach in a small team
When a team is small, a colleague’s departure is felt. The employer may be managing the practical changes while also recognising the relationships involved.
Offering outplacement gives the departing employee access to support beyond the business. It is a concrete way to show care for someone whose role is ending, even when the business cannot continue to employ them.
Support for the exiting employee sits alongside thoughtful communication with the remaining team about what the changes mean for their work. Both deserve attention when a small business is navigating a difficult transition.
Make the introduction easier
Contact us when you know you will be making a redundancy. We can discuss the support available, anticipated timing, delivery arrangements and a quote before you confirm the package with the employee.
You can then give the employee our brochure so they have something to read in their own time. They may not be ready to take in every detail during the redundancy conversation.
With their permission, you can provide their name and contact details so we can reach out. Alternatively, the employee can contact us directly.
If they are contacting us themselves, it is helpful for us to know their name and the timing of their exit beforehand, with their permission. This helps us recognise their enquiry and prioritise returning their call.
Space to work out what comes next
We will explain the service and help the individual get started. They do not need to have their next career move worked out before speaking with us.
The individual and their coach agree the frequency and pace of sessions. Coaching conversations remain confidential, while attendance can be confirmed on request.
Outplacement supports the transition; it does not replace the employer’s applicable employment obligations.
Taking the next step
Supporting one departing employee is enough reason to get in touch. You do not need to be managing a large redundancy program to offer meaningful, professional career transition support.
Our outplacement services page explains our support and current pricing. Contact Let’s Talk Career to discuss support for your employee and a package that suits your small business’s budget.
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