Page 58 - Socially-responsible-restructuring-Effective-strategies-for-supporting-redundant-workers

Socially responsible restructuring
Effective strategies for supporting redundant workers

copy and in web versions. For example, in Scotland, the Partnership action for
continuing employment (PACE) developed an award-winning resource guide
Positive Steps to your Future, which helps individuals facing change to define
personal goals; get acquainted with selection and interview methods, get access
to information about agencies that can be of assistance, including professional
groups and associations (Case studies 10 and 12).
Developing awareness of available opportunities and enabling job applicants
to meet prospective employers are key features of a career guidance process.
There are some examples in the case study research of specific opportunities
having been provided through job fairs, or similar events. For example, in the
restructuring at BenQ Mobile, which involved the redeployment of a large number
of highly-skilled staff, job fairs and related activities were assessed as being very
effective (Case study 2). The transfer company involved undertook mailing of all
companies in Bavaria belonging to an employers’ association covering the metal
and electronics sector. Many well-known companies attended these job fairs,
among them some which did not have operational bases in Germany. A large
number of potential vacancies were identified and it was reported that this
interest also had an indirect effect by boosting employee motivation.
Enabling individuals to be clear about what opportunities are available, and
helping them to find out how to access them, can sometimes not be enough to
secure effective transition in the labour market. One device highlighted in a few
case studies was that of arranging internships or work placements. These were
seen as particularly valuable in helping individuals gain experience of an
unfamiliar employment area they were keen to get into, and to boost their
confidence that they could secure employment in this field. In some situations,
such placements are effectively a job trial; if they are completed successfully, the
person is offered employment. In the AutoVision case study, it was reported that
four out of five (80%) of workers re-employed had undertaken one or more
internships while being in the transfer company (Case study 1). The related ‘trial
employment contract’ appears to be most effective in encouraging employees to
take up a job opportunity, which implies a reasonable level of satisfaction with
terms offered. However, as at AutoVision, the motivational effects of the work
placements were most stressed as their main benefit.
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In some Member States, such as in the UK ( ), there are particular well-
developed public access telephone and web-based career advice services.

21
( ) See: Careers Advice Service (available in England): http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk. Related
services are available in Wales through Careers Wales and in Scotland through Skills
Development Scotland.

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