Outplacement costs: what does an outplacement process cost?

An outplacement process at Care4Careers usually costs between €2,000 and €5,000. The final price depends on the duration, intensity and structure of the outplacement guidance. In most cases, the employer pays for it outplacement process, often from the transition payment or an agreed budget in the settlement agreement. Across the wider market the amounts vary more: shorter programmes start at around €2,000, while processes with a job guarantee can run to €10,000.

What exactly is outplacement?

Outplacement is guidance in finding a new job, usually after dismissal or reorganization. The goal is a smooth transition to other work. In addition, the employee receives support in processing the dismissal, discovering the possibilities and finding work that matches the employee’s talents.

What determines the costs of an outplacement process?

The costs vary by person and route, and depend, among other things, on:

• The duration of the process (e.g. 3 to 12 months)
• The number of coaching sessions and their intensity
• Extra components such as application training or labour market orientation
• The coach or agency experience
• Any guarantees (such as: guidance until new work)

Average outplacement costs

At Care4Careers most processes fall between €2,000 and €5,000. A short, focused programme lands at the lower end of that range; one that starts with a thorough career exploration at the upper end.

Across the market as a whole the range is wider. For more intensive guidance or programmes with a job guarantee you will see amounts of €7,500 to €10,000.

What does an outplacement coach earn?

Who pays for the outplacement process?

In most cases, the employer pays for the process - often as part of the termination agreement. In addition, outplacement is arranged via:

• The transition payment
• A separate outplacement budget in the settlement agreement
• A collective arrangement in the event of a reorganization or round of dismissal

Is outplacement reimbursed?

Outplacement can (partly) be reimbursed in several ways:

• Employer - in case of dismissal or reorganization
• Transition payment - you can use it for outplacement
• Sector funds or collective agreements - some branches offer subsidies
• UWV - in certain situations, for example when reintegrating
• Government subsidies - occasionally, there are national arrangements for career guidance or “from work to work” programs

Please note: Subsidy funds are often limited. Inquire in time with the HR department or career coach.

Why outplacement?

Outplacement is not mandatory, but it is valuable. It helps to:

• Re-identifying talents and wishes
• Focused on applying and finding new work faster
• Being mentally stronger after dismissal
• Get new energy and direction in the career

Outplacement at Care4Careers: always customized

At Care4Careers, we fully tailor the guidance to the employee’s situation. Each process is customized.
Does anyone already have a clear idea about the direction of the new job? Then we focus on jobsearch, applying for jobs and networking in the right field.
Is that still unclear? Then we start with career guidance and self-analysis - so that someone can clarify what really fits.
This means that each employee gets the process that really fits - and that significantly increases the chances of sustainable reassignment.

Three programmes and what they cost

Where a programme lands within the range of €2,000 to €5,000 depends on the intensity, the duration and the components. Focused guidance towards a new role therefore costs less than a programme that starts with a thorough exploration of which career direction fits. Three recent examples make that concrete.

Administrative employee, professional services with around ninety employees. Price €2,250 excluding VAT, paid by the employer, roughly four months of active guidance. This participant already had a reasonably clear picture of the desired next step, so the guidance could focus on the search profile, CV and LinkedIn, suitable vacancies and interview preparation. After about four months a new administrative role followed.

Technical project manager, engineering with around two hundred and sixty employees. Price €3,500 excluding VAT, paid by the employer, roughly five months. Here more career exploration was needed first. Once the direction was clear, the guidance moved to positioning, personal branding, network approach and interview preparation. A former client introduced the participant to another organisation, and the new role came out of that contact.

Team manager, healthcare with around eight hundred employees. Price €4,750 excluding VAT, paid by the employer, roughly six months. This was a more extensive programme in which the participant first examined which next step matched his experience, qualities and ambitions. Career exploration, personal coaching, labour market orientation, CV and LinkedIn, network approach and support during several application processes were all part of it. After exploring several directions he chose a management role at a smaller care organisation.

Summary: outplacement costs

• At Care4Careers the costs are usually between €2,000 and €5,000
• Hourly rates: €80 - €200 depending on experience
• Employers often contribute (partly)
• Trajectories must be customized: no person is the same