The present paper is based on the concept of life-long guidance with focus on the labor market, employability, professional orientation and career development. In career development, an important role is played by career counseling provided by employers, namely in the classification of career guidance services provided in the private sector. The…

To examine some of the psychological issues inherent in the employee termination process and the role of the psychologist in addressing these issues, five-question surveys were completed by approximately 60 human resources administrators in business organizations and interviews were conducted with approximately 10 human resource managers. The…

This report considers the differences among displacement, outplacement, and inplacement and looks at the risks, benefits, and costs of each. Displacement is defined as the termination of employment with little attention given to corporate or individual needs. Outplacement is defined as the pre-planned management of employee termination, addressing…

A study examined the effects of plant closing on hourly production employees' attitudes and behavior intentions at a General Electric (GE) plant in Columbia, Tennessee. A survey was constructed and used to collect data from 5 percent of the 400 hourly employees in November 1993, shortly after the announcement of the plant closing. The survey…

The problem of job displacement poses numerous challenges for the client and the counselor. Not only must the counselor deal with the problems of re-programming the worker, but he or she must also deal with the worker's own loss and feelings of worthlessness. The import of the counselor who successfully works with the unemployed is immeasurable.…

In light of the many thousands of displaced workers in Michigan, a program was developed to help laid-off workers assess their capabilities, relate their skills to job market needs, overcome the grief resulting from job loss, learn how to approach prospective employers, and successfully market their abilities. The 3-month program was offered at…

Corporate restructuring has resulted in involuntary job loss for a significant number of white collar workers. This study investigated gender differences in reaction to involuntary job loss and tested a model of career gorwth through job loss. Former clients, 456 males and 62 females, of a nationwide outplacement firm completed a questionnaire…

Thousands of workers have been dislocated from jobs in the textile and apparel industries as a result of recessions and structural changes in the economy. Because of the large concentrations of female workers in these industries, women have been particularly vulnerable to dislocation. This study examined job dislocation and factors that affect…

A six-state depiction study of dislocated workers in the Pacific Northwest involved interviews at six selected sites and a questionnaire survey of 138 dislocated workers. Data were obtained from structured interviews with employers, union representatives, employment service staff, educators, ongoing service agencies, and emergency assistance…

Rapid changes in technology and the economy have led to major staff reductions in the workplace, and have increased the need to assist displaced employees with outplacement counseling that is responsive, cost-effective, humane, and on-going. College counselors have the basic skills to effectively expand their role in this field in ways that…

Between 1987 and 1990, the work force of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard (Vallejo, California) was reduced from 10,000 to 7,200 employees. The management strategy for moving through this period included the following: (1) using a flexible work force; (2) using Computer-Assisted Manpower Analyses System (CAMAS) flow models to ensure that management…

The Washington State Employment Security Department and Columbia Basin Community College have been partners in delivering training, education, and re-employment services at the Re-Employment Opportunity Center (ROC). The ROC targets dislocated workers, especially those affected by downsizing at the Department of Energy, and provides retraining,…

This document contains four papers from a symposium on career issues in organizations. "Learning During Downsizing: Stories from the Survivors" (Sharon J. Confessore) describes a study to demonstrate that survivors of corporate downsizings undertake learning activities and use many resources to accomplish the learning tasks.…