Does it spell the end of the human touch?
With unemployment at its highest level since 1997, it will surprise few HRDs to learn that demand for outplacement services is also scaling new heights (see below). But what may not be so well known is the extent to which technology is playing a role in the provision of services that ease the trauma of job loss and help staff find new positions. HR technology company Insala reports a pronounced rise in UK users of its online outplacement program – EmploymentTalk – over the past 18 months. In the last quarter in 2008 it achieved 20% growth compared with the same period in 2007. This was followed by a further 10% rise in active users during January-March 2009. With EmploymentTalk employees can access a secure portal that contains interactive exercises, psychometrics, productivity tools, a CV development, distribution and tracking system, unique research and job lead data specific to the end user, and an online marketing program. A database helps to track and connect the relationships bet
