Outplacement often raises many questions, especially if you are also entitled to unemployment benefits. Can you receive both at the same time? Who pays what? And what does the UWV expect from you? These are understandable questions, as the rules surrounding outplacement and unemployment benefit are not always clear. In this article, we give you a clear overview of everything you need to know.
Whether you have just been told that your job will be abolished or are already in the middle of a process: understanding your rights and obligations will help you work on your next step in a calm and focused way. Read the answers to the most frequently asked questions below.
What is outplacement and how does it work?
Outplacement is a guidance process in which a professional career coach helps you find a new job situation as quickly and purposefully as possible after losing your job. The path focuses on self-insight, career orientation, application skills and personal development, tailored to your situation and pace.
An outplacement process usually starts with an exploration phase: who are you, what are your talents and what do you want to achieve? Then, together with your coach, you work on concrete steps towards the job market. These include drafting a strong CV, practising job interviews and exploring your network. The programme is always tailor-made, because what works for one person does not automatically work for another.
Outplacement is offered by specialised agencies and takes several months on average, depending on your situation and your employer's arrangements. The aim is not only to find a new job, but also to ensure that you remain employable in the long term.
Are you entitled to unemployment benefits in outplacement?
Yes, in most cases you can simply be entitled to WW benefit while following an outplacement programme. Following outplacement does not in itself have a negative effect on your WW claim, as long as you meet the usual WW conditions set by the UWV.
To be eligible for WW benefits, you must have built up sufficient employment history, be available for the labour market and actively apply for jobs, among other things. Outplacement fits in well with this, because the programme helps you fulfil this obligation to apply for jobs. You actively work on your career, which the UWV sees as a positive effort.
It is important that you apply for WW benefits from the UWV on time, preferably already in the first week after you became unemployed. If you wait too long, you will miss out on benefit days. Outplacement does not replace the WW application; you should always arrange this yourself.
Can you combine outplacement with unemployment benefit?
Yes, combining outplacement with WW benefit is possible and common. Following an outplacement programme does not get in the way of receiving WW benefit, provided you continue to meet all UWV obligations. The two can coexist just fine.
In practice, outplacement and WW actually reinforce each other. Your unemployment benefit provides financial stability while you work on your next step. The outplacement programme gives you the guidance and structure to actually take that step. That way, you don't have to endure the period of unemployment on your own, but use that time actively and purposefully.
Just keep in mind that you take your job search duty seriously. The UWV expects you to be demonstrably active in the labour market. Fortunately, a good outplacement programme helps you with this immediately, as applying for jobs and networking are fixed components of the guidance.
What are the rules if you find temporary work during outplacement?
If you find temporary work during your outplacement programme, you must always report this to the UWV. Your WW benefit will then be (partially) stopped or adjusted based on the number of hours you work. As soon as the temporary work stops, in most cases you can reactivate your remaining WW entitlements.
The UWV uses the so-called income set-off for this purpose. This means that your income from temporary work is offset against your benefit. You will not receive unemployment benefit for the hours you work, but you will receive it for the hours you do not yet work. This is beneficial, as it also allows you to build up work experience while remaining financially protected.
Remember that temporary work can also affect the duration of your WW benefit. By working, you delay the consumption of your WW entitlements, which means that your benefit may continue for longer if the temporary work ends again. Be well informed about this by the UWV or your career coach.
Who pays for the outplacement process in case of unemployment?
In most cases, the outplacement process is paid for by the employer, not by the UWV. Employers are not legally obliged to offer outplacement, but in practice it is often included in a social plan or laid down in a settlement agreement in case of dismissal.
The costs of outplacement are borne by the employer and do not affect the amount or duration of your WW benefit. It is a separate compensation separate from WW. Sometimes an outplacement payment is also included as part of a redundancy package, where you can choose an agency yourself.
Don't receive compensation from your employer for outplacement? Then in some cases there are other options, such as using a personal development budget (POB) or a STAP budget. It is worth checking with your employer or HR department before saying goodbye.
What do you need to arrange with the UWV if you take outplacement?
If you follow outplacement and receive WW benefit at the same time, there are a number of things you need to arrange with the UWV. The main steps are: applying for your WW in time, proving your availability for the labour market and reporting your income correctly if you are working (temporarily).
- WW applications: Do this as soon as possible after your first day of unemployment, preferably within a week.
- Fulfilling job obligations: The UWV expects you to actively apply for jobs. Keep track of your applications in your Workbook on My UWV.
- Passing on income: Do you earn anything during your course? Always report this via the monthly income statement.
- Report availability: You need to be available for work. An outplacement programme does not limit that availability.
- Notifying changes: Does something change in your situation, such as a new job or a temporary contract? Report this immediately to the UWV.
Your career coach can help you document your job application efforts properly, which is useful if the UWV asks for it. That way, during your outplacement process, you also work on your WW obligations right away.
How Nieuwkans helps you during outplacement
At Nieuwkans, we understand that the period surrounding redundancy can bring many questions and uncertainty. We will help you not only find a new job, but also take that next step with confidence and direction. Our outplacement programme for employees is fully customised, with you as the individual at the centre.
Here's what you can expect from us:
- Personal coaching by an experienced career coach, at your pace
- Understanding your natural talents through the science-based BrainsFirst methodology
- Practical support in applying for jobs, networking and positioning in the labour market
- Attention to both your short-term step and long-term employability
- Guidance from our Utrecht location: always customised and never a standard approach
Want to know what we can do for you? Contact us and we will discuss together which guidance is best suited to your situation.