How Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Can Better Support Laid-Off Employees

Layoffs are never easy, and for small and medium-sized businesses, they can feel especially personal. When layoffs become necessary, providing support to affected employees is essential.

While many businesses are offering support for laid-off workers, there is a serious gap between what employers and employees are reporting. This communication problem is creating a perception among workers that they don’t have access to support, even if leaders report providing it.

According to our 2024 Outplacement and Career Mobility Trends Report, nearly half of HR leaders report providing career coaching and outplacement services, but fewer than 10% of workers say they receive this support.

This disconnect points to a critical issue — the support may be there, but it’s not being communicated effectively. For small businesses, ensuring that your employees are fully informed about the support they have access to is just as important as offering the support itself.

Layoffs are an emotional and stressful time for everyone involved. Employees may be focused on the immediate implications — like how they will manage financially or how to explain their job loss to loved ones — rather than absorbing the details of the support programs available to them.

Smaller businesses often don’t have the same structured HR departments or communication strategies as larger corporations. In these cases, it's easy for critical messages to get lost, especially during a difficult discussion about job loss. If your business is offering support for laid-off employees, make sure it’s clear, accessible, and well communicated.

Here are some of the most valuable forms of support you should consider and, more importantly, ensure your employees know about:

• Career Coaching Services
  Career coaching can be incredibly helpful for employees who are navigating the next steps in their careers. Coaches can help with job search strategies, resume writing, and interview preparation.
• Outplacement Services
  Outplacement services provide support in helping employees find new jobs after a layoff, including personalized job search assistance, networking opportunities, and skill-building programs. For smaller businesses, partnering with external providers can make offering outplacement services more affordable and accessible.
• Mentoring Programs
  Providing laid-off employees with access to mentoring can set them up for future success — especially for workers who may have been with your company for a long time. Offering mentorship opportunities helps them navigate these changes while building confidence for the job search.

Layoffs are an inevitable part of business, but there are very tangible ways to offer meaningful support like career coaching and outplacement. By ensuring that laid-off employees understand the help available to them, small and medium-sized businesses can protect their reputation and foster trust within their workforce.

Download our 2024 Outplacement and Career Mobility Trends Report to learn more about how layoffs are affecting small and medium-sized businesses.