Placing mental health support at the centre of outplacement

Social changes, challenges, and a shift in global restructurings have led to an increased number of workers being beset with mental health issues. This then leads to a rise in absenteeism, a heavier workload, and higher costs for employers.

Research by SCMR, commissioned by Careerminds, shows that an increasing number of employers across the globe are putting the mental health of employees higher up the agenda. On top of that, there is attention focused on discussing and dealing with mental health as part of outplacement programmes.

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look into the causes of spiking mental health issues among employees, and focus on the approaches used by outplacement providers to tackle this problem.

It’s been a continuing pattern over the last few years, with mental health being taken just as seriously nowadays as physical health. Before, being physically fit was all that mattered. Now it’s recognised that it’s just as necessary to take care of your mental health.

Mental health complaints, such as employee burnout, anxiety, or depression, are one of the main causes of absenteeism in the workplace, so it’s no surprise that employers are placing a greater focus on prevention. 

There can be many reasons why someone might struggle with their mental health. A 2024 report by MHFA England states that:

• 25% of UK workers feel unable to cope with workplace stress
• 79% of employees experience moderate-to-high stress levels
• 63% of UK employees show symptoms such as exhaustion and disengagement – an increase of 11% from two years ago

There was a decrease in the number of job vacancies by 35,000 in October 2024, compared to the previous quarter, to a total of 831,000 vacancies, marking the 28th consecutive period of decline. If you’re facing being laid off, this can add to any stresses and strains already occurring, and lead to a fall in your mental health.

Mental health issues in the workplace are not just concentrated in the UK, of course. A survey of 11,000 office workers across France, Germany, India, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the US, shows that, on average in 2024, nearly half of workers – 48% – suffered from burnout. The European Commission estimated that mental health issues cost up to 4% of the EU’s GDP every year, amounting to over €600 billion.

The main cause of burnout in the workplace is an ever-rising workload, due to the fact that fewer people are being employed, the population is aging, there are an increasing number of informal caregivers, and there is uncertainty within the labour market.  

The consequences of the pandemic are still prevalent. In sectors, such as catering, the arts, and aviation, where there were many layoffs, numerous employers are still facing difficulties when recruiting staff. Due to a shortage of new staff, the pressure on remaining employees increases. The Careerminds report found that 44% of employees reported increased work stress due to the worldwide pandemic.

Further causes of burnout are:

• Job insecurity due to flexible employment contracts or the rise of AI
• The level of work not matching the level of education 
• Being assigned tasks that are not part of the job description 
• Working in poor conditions or being given insufficient breaks
• Unclear or unrealistic expectations 
• Poor communication from employers
• Transgressive behaviour, discrimination, or bullying
• Labour disputes

It won’t come as a big surprise that being offboarded as an employee can also affect mental health. After all, being fired or made redundant can change your life, and not necessarily for the better. It can dent an employee’s self-esteem and confidence, or evoke feelings of resentment, anger, or sadness. While these feelings may dissipate, it can cause unpleasant consequences for employers. For example, negative messages with regard to your company may circulate in the corridors, on LinkedIn, or on Glassdoor, with any legal proceedings jeopardising the company brand.

Offering outplacement services can alleviate negative emotions, as it shows you care for all of your workers – even those who are leaving – by providing a helping hand to exiting employees in the search for new work.

Outplacement is often part of a severance package offered to those workers who lose their jobs. With outplacement, the dismissed employee is supported and guided in finding a new job, through personalised coaching, CV optimisation, job interview training, and much more.

Another aspect of the service is supporting the mental health and wellbeing of affected employees during the career transition, with outplacement services in the UK increasingly including this support in recognition of the emotional toll that a job loss can have. These added extras provide holistic support that address both practical and emotional needs.

In the UK, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) provide laid-off workers with a wide range of support, including mental health, legal assistance, and financial advice. In UK outplacement packages, you can also find:

• Stress management workshops
• Resilience training
• Counselling

In the Netherlands, outplacement providers offer good support in the area of ​​mental health and wellbeing, covering:

• Stress management 
• Emotional guidance
• Wellbeing coaching, tailored to Dutch workplace values ​

Many Dutch companies prioritise the mental wellbeing of employees, attaching great importance to a sustainable work-life balance.

In France, the psychological impact of any dismissal is taken seriously, leading more French outplacement providers to offer holistic support, similar to the UK, including:

• Counselling in mental health
• Stress management workshops
• Resilience training

Outplacement providers in Germany take a more comprehensive approach, offering:

• Counselling
• Stress management tools, such as time management techniques, breathing exercises, and prioritising
• Specific workshops focused on meditation, mindfulness, and resilience

With an enlightened approach, outplacement providers worldwide are adopting a more holistic view, meaning that participants on an outplacement programme are better prepared for their career transition. Being dismissed can open up new opportunities, and Careerminds will be with participants every step of the way.

Keen to learn more about outplacement services and what it can offer your organisation? Or would you like to join Careerminds as an outplacement partner? Contact us at the earliest opportunity, without any obligation, to find out more. If you would like to access the full Careerminds outplacement report, download it here.

Elizabeth Openshaw

Elizabeth is a diligent, articulate, and versatile Blogger and CV Consultant with over 13 years of experience in the job search sector, including extensive expertise in outplacement services and CV reviews, supporting job seekers and all of those involved in the recruitment process. With a personable and self-assured outlook, Elizabeth consistently produces work to a high standard and hits deadlines 100% of the time. Showcases excellent organisational and time management skills, proven by 17 years as a Journalist on numerous national publications including as Features Editor on a monthly glossy magazine and as a regular contributor to Men’s Health, Slimming World and Candis. As Director of her own company, OpenDoor CV Expertise Ltd, Elizabeth displays a high level of professionalism, demonstrated by the positive recommendations and testimonials from many previous clients. Additionally, she is an active member of both the British Association of CV Writers (BACVW) and the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP), supporting people to gain work, progress in work, and retain work.