Page 169 - Socially-responsible-restructuring-Effective-strategies-for-supporting-redundant-workers

Socially responsible restructuring
Effective strategies for supporting redundant workers

7. Key issues and implications

This study aimed at better understanding socially responsible restructuring
practices, at a time of deep recession in Europe, with enduring effects on
unemployment. The focus of the review was on how employers, on their own and
with partner agencies, harness career guidance in helping with the reintegration
of workers into employment, thus contributing to socially-responsible practice.
The assessment has not been comprehensive across Europe but has generated
considerable evidence and preliminary conclusions on:
(a) contrasts and diversity in regional and national responses and innovations;
(b) comparative practices by restructuring enterprises in diverse labour market
circumstances;
(c) effective support for vulnerable workers and the role of career guidance in
socially responsible practice;
(d) emerging implications for shaping effective strategies and policies, and their
wider transferability.
The conclusions seek to stimulate wider debate on socially responsible
restructuring and support strategies for redundant workers, and suggest ways in
which research could address some of the evidence gaps that remain.

7.1. Regional and national responses and innovations

The review has painted a picture of diverse practice on career guidance to
support enterprise restructuring. Contrasts identified reflect some enterprise
specific characteristics, as well as much wider differences in Member States in
maturity of legislative and industrial relations practice, as well as the capacity and
professionalism of career advice and guidance to adults in employment or
seeking a job. Job losses caused by company restructuring are also themselves
highly varied in their circumstances, scale and significance. Such contrasts
change the context, and sometimes the level, of intervention and publicly funded
support available to displaced workers.
Quality and maturity of enterprise arrangements are affected greatly by the
variable starting points for different countries, in terms of the capacity and
professionalism of career advice and guidance to adults in employment. Limited
guidance provision may be a significant constraint, where there is little or no
tradition of enterprises supporting the employability and lifelong learning of their

163