Outplacement cost in the UK varies widely, but the fee rarely reflects what matters most. Drawing on 15 years in employability and her own redundancy, Paula Donnan examines what organisations are really buying, where digital support falls short, and what to ask before signing off a quote.

Here is something that does not get talked about enough. Outplacement is not just about the people leaving. It is a direct communication to everyone who remains. When your team watches colleagues being made redundant, they are asking themselves a question: if that were me, would this organisation treat me with respect? The answer they arrive at shapes their engagement, their trust in leadership and their own commitment to the business going forward.