What is Outplacement?
What is Outplacement?
When facing redundancy, it can be stressful for both employer and employees. For staff affected, it’s natural to feel a bit lost about what comes next. That’s where outplacement can help. But what is outplacement?
Outplacement is a type of career support that employers offer to staff who are leaving due to redundancy or settlement agreement. It’s designed to help people figure out their next steps, whether that’s finding a new job, switching careers, starting a business, or even planning for retirement. The goal? To make a tough transition a little easier and to help people land on their feet. For employers, that’s good for reputation, brand and engagement.
Providing outplacement in the UK is a discretionary part of a redundancy package. Insome countries, it’s a statutory requirement and the rules can vary when it comes to global outplacement, so it’s important to check what applies in your Country.
Chiumento’s outplacement support isn’t just about handing over a CV template and wishing someone good luck. It’s about real, practical and emotional support. This might include:
- One-to-one coaching sessions
- Human support with CV drafting
- Live webinars for job seekers
- Career planning and advice
- Industry insights and resources
- Mental health and wellbeing counselling
We see outplacement as much more than a box-ticking exercise. It’s a way to show genuine care for your people and to help your organisation stay resilient through change. Our team is not only experienced in career coaching, but all our Career Concierge staff are trained in Mental Health First Aid, so we’re equipped to support both the practical and emotional sides of employee career transition.
Supporting people as they leave isn’t just the right thing to do, it also protects your brand, keeps morale high for those staying and reduces the risk of legal or financial headaches down the line. Even in challenging times, it helps foster a positive, supportive workplace culture.
With over 30 years of experience, Chiumento offers outplacement that’s flexible, personal, and powered by the latest tech to enable remote coaching. We’re here to help both individuals and organisations come through change stronger and ready for what’s next.
More than a career transition…
Outplacement isn’t just about job search tools or writing CVs. It’s about supporting real people through one of life’s most uncertain moments—with empathy, structure, and belief in what comes next.
At Chiumento, we help people leave with:
Clarity
about their next steps.
Confidence
in their strengths and values.
Control
over their journey forward.
After redundancy, the job market felt overwhelming and confusing. Chiumento’s outplacement services gave me clear direction and a renewed sense of hope.
After 24 years with the same employer, Chiumento’s programme helped me regain my confidence and start landing interviews again.
Chiumento helped me understand why I left and gave me the tools to take control and prepare confidently for my next role.
of clients have partnered with us for over a decade for our expertise in outplacement and career coaching.
%
of delegates achieve their objectives with our comprehensive outplacement programmes.
Our NPS score of +57 is a testament to our successful career transition support.
What are the benefits of outplacement?
Outplacement isn’t just a service, it’s a lifeline for people and a strategic asset for organisations navigating change. Here’s why it matters, now more than ever:
☑️ Puts Your Values into Practice
Offering outplacement is a clear sign that you care about your people, not just your bottom line. With redundancy intentions at their highest level in a decade outside the pandemic, one in four UK employers plan to make redundancies by June 2025 (People Management, 2025), providing outplacement support demonstrates a genuine commitment to doing the right thing for your team, even in challenging times.
☑️ Reduces Stress and Supports Employee Wellbeing
Redundancy can be one of the most stressful experiences in a person’s working life. Outplacement programmes provide practical help and emotional reassurance, guiding people through uncertainty and helping them regain confidence. With the UK unemployment rate at 4.5% in 2025 (ONS, 2025) and economic pressures continuing, having expert support can make all the difference in helping someone find their next opportunity faster and with less anxiety.
☑️ Keeps People Engaged During Their Notice Period
You need your people to be engaged during the consultation process and it’s also common for employees to work their notice after being told their role is redundant. Without the promise of support, motivation and engagement is likely to ebb away. Outplacement sends a powerful message: “We still care about you and your future.” This can help maintain performance and engagement right up to their last day, smoothing the career transition for everyone involved.
☑️ Supports Remaining Staff and Maintains Business Continuity
How you treat leavers directly affects those who stay. When colleagues see that departing staff are supported with compassion and practical help, it reassures them about your company’s values and future.
This boost to morale and engagement helps reduce unwanted turnover and keeps productivity high at a time of uncertainty. By minimising disruption and maintaining business continuity, outplacement support allows your organisation to adapt more smoothly to change, whether you’re restructuring, downsizing, or pivoting to new markets.
According to the CIPD’s Labour Market Outlook – Spring 2025, fairly and well managed redundancies and enhanced support packages are critical to mitigating reputational risks and ensuring organisations remain prepared for recovery. (CIPD, 2025)
☑️ Reduces Reputational and Legal Risks
Redundancy processes that lack process, transparency or support can lead to challenges and negative publicity. As the UK market for outplacement grows, reaching an estimated £1.2 billion by 2033, more businesses are recognising the value of getting this right.
The ideal scenario is that your leavers become ambassadors for your business not detractors. Outplacement helps people leave on good terms, reducing the risk of challenges and protecting your brand’s reputation. Helping people get re-settled also helps them move on. And who knows? They might tell friends and colleagues about how well you treated them.
☑️ Protects Your Employer Brand
Your reputation as an employer is shaped by how you handle tough moments. Outplacement as a means of redundancy support is increasingly recognised as a mark of a responsible, people-focused organisation. In a competitive job market, this can help you attract and retain top talent, especially as more candidates research employer practices before applying.
In summary, outplacement delivers value at every level. For employees, it provides practical tools, emotional support, and a faster route to new opportunities, helping people move forward with confidence and dignity. For organisations, it protects your brand, maintains morale, and reduces legal and operational risks. And financially, outplacement pays off (not just in that it is a non-taxable benefit): by helping people find work sooner and minimising disruption, it supports business stability and long-term success.
In a challenging market, it’s not just the right thing to do, it’s a smart investment in your people and your business.
What our outplacement clients say about us…
Chiumento has provided outplacement support services to us 2016. The feedback gathered has always been extremely positive – geography has never been an issue, and the flexibility in respect of options, content and timeframes has been very well received.
Chiumento enables us to provide career coaching to our clients throughout the UK (and internationally). We have worked with Chiumento for around 8 years, and in that time, they have offered a range of benefits that meet our needs and those of our clients.
We are so pleased and grateful for the work that Chiumento have done and are doing with us. The team have helped us through 2 major business transformations and our internal re-organisation. I’ve heard nothing other than very positive reports from people with the support we’ve received.
How does outplacement work?
Traditionally, outplacement support was delivered through face-to-face coaching or group workshops, providing short-term assistance to departing employees. While these methods remain valuable in certain cases, today’s workforce demands more flexible, accessible solutions.
At Chiumento, we combine personalised one-to-one coaching with technology to deliver a modern, tech-enabled outplacement experience. Through online resources, mobile app access, and video calls, we empower individuals to connect with expert guidance whenever and wherever they need it.
This flexible approach lets employees navigate the job market with confidence. They can access tailored advice and practical tools at their own pace—whether at home, on the move, or anywhere in between.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about how our outplacement support can help your organisation and people, please get in touch with us to request a confidential call.
Why choose Chiumento?
Targeted Support
We provide highly flexible and strategic services that address the unique needs of each client, ensuring relevant and effective support.
Trust the Experts
Our team consists of seasoned experts with extensive industry knowledge, offering valuable insights and guidance to help your people achieve their goals.
Proven Success
We have a strong track record of helping leaders and organisations thrive, backed by numerous success stories and positive client testimonials.