One such case was a major retailer who had acquired a smaller regional competitor, but was also undertaking a re-structuring of their own organisation. The project has lasted several years working across multiple sites and covering individuals ranging from very junior people to senior managers.

There were several ways in which the programme could have been delivered, these were presented to the client and a mixed programme approved.

Getting back to work doesn't happen all at once.  First those affected need to understand what is happening to them and what it will be like over the next few weeks or months.  Then they need to build a CV, decide their future options, plan their job search and start marketing themselves.  As they start to get interviews they need help with their planning and delivery, for many this can be the first time in years that they have had to attend an interview.

For this corporate client our programme reflected that cycle.  First of all we delivered one day seminars in surviving redundancy, CV writing, self marketing and job search.  We like to keep the numbers below fifteen because that way we can give a more personal service within a workshop structure.

Then we offered one-to-one drop in days where individuals could come and spend time with a consultant discussing their particular needs.  On one of the larger sites we had suggested the company establish a job search resource centre and the one to one consultations were held in this special room.

Several weeks after the first seminars we delivered the second seminar on interview skills; and after that we were able to provide a remote backup service.

This programme is ongoing and changes depending upon the number of people on any one site. (When there is a high proportion of more senior or long-serving staff, our clients often choose to have more one-to-one time to help them.)

The flexibility of the programme, the prior planning we did with the corporate client, the one-to-one sessions and the back-up service means that nearly everyone has managed to find what they were seeking.