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95 percent former employees of the paper factory of Berghuizen employed within a year after shutdown! Higher & Company (HR-organization with offices in Zwolle and Utrecht) recently matched 120 former employees of the paper factory of Berghuizen with new employers. Early 2008 the employees were left unemployed after the factory of 300 years closed down. Management and unions agreed to a social plan involving a major outplacement programme. With an average age of 47 and an average service record of 22 years, theirs wasn’t an easy task.
Enhancing independence The former employees were presented with two outplacement agencies to choose from. Higher & Company recommended a group programme focussed on increasing motivation and coping strategies as effectively as possible. At the start, the 120 former employees assembled twice a week in closely supervised groups of fifteen. One session was used for training and another to actively and concretely work towards a new position. Key questions during these sessions were ‘who am I? What do I want? What are my competencies?’ Besides this the group focussed concretely on writing applications, successful interviewing and effectively using different media to find potential employments. The choice to go with the collective programme led to synergy; one and one became three. The group process generated the expected positive results; the colleagues encouraged and motivated each other, they used each other’s expertise and networks. The social element enhanced the process. Only motivated employees are successful applicants, thus believes Higher & Company.
Customized results People with particularly specialist backgrounds received additional individual coaching. The same was true for several former employees on their way to becoming independent entrepreneurs. Quite a few employment deals were born from Higher & Company’s network of regional organizations. Some other concrete employment deals were initiated at a job market organized by the group. Altogether, the outplacement programme was successful; after 12 weeks half of the group had found a new, appropriate position. After one year, a sound 95 percent of the former employees of the paper factory had signed satisfactory and long-term contracts with other companies.
Higher & Company supports organizations with development, HR-solutions, interim management and recruitment. The consultancy offers professional services by experienced staff and a well-built network. Curious, creative and complete.
More information: Higher & Company Zwolle +31-38-460 89 30 Higher & Company Utrecht +31-30-272 05 68
Project manager Martin Klaver (Higher & Company) proud of outplacement programme Paper factory Berghuizer
‘The synergy worked’
‘Fun and challenging, far from easy. After the factory closed former employees were invited to either go with Higher & Company or another outplacement agency. We deliberately opted for a collective approach with a personal touch. The personal aspect is mostly expressed by our job coaches. They operate from a warm, human approach, however without surrendering professionalism. The group process truly benefits all. By putting former employees together in a programme a greater network emerges. They motivate each other and exchange experiences. The social aspect, getting together once a week, was also highly motivating. Having a chat over coffee is an essential part of the process.
The group was diverse. The average age was 47 and the average service record 22 years: by no means an easy group to replace. However, the results were outstanding. The employees were well educated and motivated to move on to the next step. Obviously, at first there was pain and blame about the closure and we did deal with that during the process. In addition, we offered practical support; we helped solve issues around benefits. People can only commit if their basic circumstances are taken care of. Money is almost as basic as it gets.
Some of the employees had never had an interview or written an application letter in their lives. They were best served with practical support. Furthermore, several people followed their dream and started their own business. Among them a bicycle repairman and a taxi driver! The rest has done very well too. They found positions with room to grow and build up long-term relationships. After all, Higher & Company is not just interested in outplacement but in creating new durable circumstances, wherein people are motivated and stimulated to successfully resume their professional lives.’
Klaas Duinstra (former employee) started in a new job after three months 'Learned things about myself'
'24 Years I worked for Berghuizer. They contracted my father and it was only natural that I followed in his footsteps. It felt like family. My colleagues were my friends. And then they closed the factory. A horrible time that was. So many questions and uncertainties. Fortunately, there was a solid social plan. We all had to find new jobs. An agency was called in to help us. I did not expect much of it. What did these agencies know about our line of work? But it turned out all right. We gathered twice a week. Once for a special training and once to actually go out after a new job. The training sessions were fun and useful. In a group of fifteen we practiced with role-plays and presentation techniques. It was hard at first but I got a lot out of it. I learned stuff about myself that I didn’t know before. Practicing interviews was especially useful. When do you ever do that? I had never done one. Sometimes it was hard to be confronted with my own ‘weak spots’. If you’re in a place for so long, inspiration and motivation are not the first things that come to mind. You’re just doing your job, like you always do. It was nice to have the weekly meetings. It was good to know that I wasn’t alone. The group and the reintegration people and the trainers actively helped to get us started in a new place. Seeing my ex-colleagues was also nice. We all still cared for each other. After three months I signed for a new job. Of course we had a little celebration. I am convinced that the factory closure has eventually brought us some good things as well. I have done things that I probably never would have otherwise.’ |
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