Page 117 - Socially-responsible-restructuring-Effective-strategies-for-supporting-redundant-workers

Socially responsible restructuring
Effective strategies for supporting redundant workers

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company (Right Management ( )) that the group has used on a previous
occasion, but at a different site in Ireland, which would take the lead in organising
a series of progressive support measures that would reach a peak during the
final three months of work for the employees concerned. The outplacement
company began its work by advising the management of the company on how to
handle the overall situation and on the levels of support that could be delivered
and when. This particular plant had no previous history of significant restructuring
and so it was important to draw on the wider experience that the outplacement
provider could bring.
The Union learning representative from the main trade union for the
production workers (SIPTU) took an early initiative once the company’s plans
were confirmed and brought in advice from the union’s specialist, Ideas Institute
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( ), an independent not-for-profit agency providing commercial training and
development. It offers the following services to employees and their
organisations:
(a) certified training and development programmes;
(b) change facilitation and support;
(c) development interventions to assist changes in work organisation;
(d) individual personal development training programmes;
(e) project management services for change projects;
(f) research into the advancement of employee education and training;
(g) other specialist services including media skills and communications training.
These services are available to organisations and staff in the private and
voluntary sectors.
In the case of this restructuring, the Ideas Institute regional training
coordinator initiated the training of a shop floor representative as a Union
learning representative (ULR) in May 2009. This representative would be in a
position to discuss the training options with the company and seek to maximise
the help that could be given by also harnessing support from the main national
agency for training and employment, the FÁS. The ULR is a relatively new
development that allows trade unions to take a more direct role in promoting
learning in the workplace. Essentially the ULR is trained to give advice and
guidance to union members on learning needs and opportunities. They have
been particularly effective in raising levels of interest in training and development
particularly among lower skilled workers and those with basic skills needs. The

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( ) Right Management is an international company – part of the Manpower Group – established in
1980, operating in over 50 countries worldwide.
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( ) For more information on the Ideas Institute go to: www.ideasinstitute.ie.

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