HR embraces redeployment strategies amid layoffs
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — Human resources (HR) leaders are increasingly turning to redeployment strategies as an alternative to layoffs.
LHH, the Adecco Group’s talent solutions provider, finds in their “Outplacement & Career Mobility 2024 Trends Report” that more than 7 in 10 HR leaders are planning or considering layoffs in 2024. However, the report also reveals that over 8 in 10 HR leaders consider reassigning workers instead of terminating their employment.
The report was based on the insights of 3,000 HR heads and 8,000 white-collar workers across nine countries.
The rise of redeployment
The proportion of HR leaders with redeployment initiatives in place has increased by 25 percentage points since 2023, now standing at 47%. This shift comes as organizations adapt to the changing landscape of work, particularly in light of AI integration.
“The global job market has undergone significant reshaping over the past year, largely due to the rising impact and integration of AI,” said John Morgan, president of LHH’s career transition mobility and leadership development unit.
“As the workforce adapts to this new reality, our research tells us that leaders are recognizing the need to evolve talent strategies to support employees throughout their careers, making reskilling and redeployment essential for maintaining an agile organization.”
Success stories and benefits of redeployment strategies
Several companies have already experienced success with redeployment strategies.
BAE Systems, for instance, avoided cutting 5,000 jobs by moving employees to different roles within the company. An HR executive from BAE Systems explained, “We accept that these employees are often a less than perfect fit at first. But even six months training and investment is worth avoiding the cost associated with redundancy and having to recruit externally.”
Redeployment offers numerous benefits for organizations, according to Randstad Enterprise:
- Cost savings on severance packages and recruitment
- Retention of valuable talent and institutional knowledge
- Increased employee loyalty and engagement
- Enhanced workforce agility
Eric Mochnacz, director of operations at Red Clover, emphasizes the value of redeployment: “Ultimately, if a person is driving value for your business — and the need to eliminate their role is due to no fault of their own — why not consider other opportunities within the organization where they can still contribute?”
