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Assistance Employers May Provide for Workers
There are a number of things employers can do to assist workers through the transition period, many of which cost little to nothing. Ways employers may contribute include:
- providing each affected employee with written notice of layoff, including separation date, on company letterhead
- providing space and, when needed, audio / visual equipment for on-site meetings
- allowing employees to attend the meetings, preferably on paid work time
- providing employees with a copy of their job descriptions and the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work
- explaining to the employees the company’s policy on employee references, including the type of reference the company will provide to other employers and how references will be handled if the business is closing
- lending human resources staff to activities like résumé workshops, one-on-one assistance with résumé preparation, interviewing workshops, and mock interviews
- taking time to individually meet with the affected employees to discuss how each employee added value to the company, any training completed that resulted in new or upgraded skills, as well as awards, promotions or other forms of recognition earned
- reminding employees about resources available through the company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), if one exists
- extending employees’ access to EAP services for a period of time following layoff
- extending outreach to other employers who may be interested in the skill sets possessed by the affected workforce
- hosting an on-site career fair to allow employees the opportunity to easily connect with new employers