NEW PLATFORM LAUNCHED TO ASSIST THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS IN THIS TIME
Businesses are encouraged to help staff best prepare for possible future employment

25 June 2020: COVID-19 lockdown measures have forced many South African companies to make major cutbacks and initiate retrenchment procedures. And as more people enter the job market, 21st Century is partnering with I Got Hired, an innovative global employability and retrenchment platform, to make the job-hunting process easier. The partnership signals the next step in the evolution of 21st Century Talent, which aims to provide fully integrated talent and HR solutions to employers from all industries.

According to Stats SA’s Wave 2 survey on the impact of COVID-19 on employment and income in South Africa, 8,1% of respondents reported that they lost their jobs or had to close their businesses and 1,4% became unemployed during lockdown.

In this extremely uncertain time, 21st Century believes that corporates are duty-bound to prove that their employees are more than just capital. When the reality of retrenchment hits, a show of support to those affected is needed now more than ever.

Losing a job can be extremely traumatic. But the vast majority of those who find themselves recently or imminently jobless are forced to put their feelings of loss and panic aside to focus on the immediate urgency of finding work.

I Got Hired is a platform that empowers job seekers to make the job-hunting process seamless. For employers having to initiate retrenchment proceedings, I Got Hired is also a cost effective but powerful way to offer support to outgoing staff, as it shows a tangible commitment to the welfare of both previous and current employees.

I Got Hired creates a framework for affected employees, built on a proven job search process and focused on a platform for preparation and planning. The platform helps make the experience less painful, providing a tool that can effectively position these job seekers for future employment opportunities.

“At this stage, organisations are not generally in a position to provide extremely expensive outplacement programmes, but still feel a need to support the people they have to let go. Offering I Got Hired, as part of the off-boarding package, can help those facing the retrenchment process and map out a pathway to their next position in a structured, constructive way. During a state of distress, people find that they cannot focus on the important details of the job search process. The result is an ad hoc, unprofessional approach in many cases making the job seeker less attractive in the market. I Got Hired consolidates all the practical tools needed to support the person through this process at a difficult time in their lives. These include job “campaign” planning processes, a document library, professional document templates, social media management and even budgeting tools,” says Belinda O’Regan, Organisational Psychologist and consultant on the development of I Got Hired and Executive Consultant at 21st Century.

The platform is a value-added tool that supports 21st Century’s strategy to offer a full, end-to-end human capital solution. As COVID-19 takes its toll on the country’s economy, 21st Century believes that corporates must accept responsibility for supporting their staff members beyond retrenchment.

Craig Raath, Executive Director at 21st Century, says, “If your staff are facing retrenchment, helping them make sense of it all during this difficult time potentially offers them a glimmer of hope, by assisting them with a subscription to the platform, and by equipping them to make themselves more employable and boosting their confidence as they begin their job-hunting journey once more. Parting ways with your employees is never an easy process. But you can certainly make it less painful”.

To find out more, visit www.21century.co.za./ I Got Hired

About 21st Century
21st Century is one of the largest Remuneration and HR consultancies in Africa, with a team of more than 60 skilled specialists, servicing over 1700 clients – including non-profit organisations, unlisted companies, government, parastatals and over two thirds of the companies listed on the JSE. 21st Century offers effective business planning with KPA and strategic planning reviews, creative reward practise modelling, operating modelling, change, stakeholder and culture management, training courses and comprehensive organisational development plans. 21st Century continues to offer solutions via virtual channels during the lockdown period.

In this volatile and uncertain environment, the way of working is changing dramatically. There are new – and often unprecedented – challenges that require businesses to plan rapidly and take decisive and immediate action. 21st Century offers a Resilience Audit assessing businesses during COVID-19 for their sustainability, offering these businesses tailor made solutions and developing new remuneration structures and performance measurement systems, as well as helping with managing organisational changes within the business.

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Issued By: The Lime Envelope
On Behalf Of: 21st Century
For Media Information: Bronwyn Levy
Telephone: 011 467 9233
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