outplacement

American  

[out-pleys-muhnt] / ˈaʊtˌpleɪs mənt /

noun

1. counseling and assistance in finding a new job, provided by a company for an employee who has been or is about to be dismissed.

2. an act or instance of outplacing.

3. the state or condition of being outplaced.

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outplacement British  

/ ˈaʊtˌpleɪsmənt /

noun

1. a service that offers counselling and careers advice, esp to redundant executives, which is paid for by their previous employer

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Etymology

Origin of outplacement

First recorded in 1965–70; out- + placement

Example Sentences

First-quarter layoffs totaled 217,362, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a level 56% lower than the January-to-March period last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

U.S.-based tech employers announced more than 33,000 job cuts from January to February, up 51% compared with the same period last year, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas said in March.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

According to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, U.S. employers announced 108,435 job cuts in January, up about 118% from the same month last year and marking the highest January layoff number since 2009.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

U.S. employers announced 108,435 cuts in January, more than twice the 49,795 during the same month last year — and triple the 35,553 announced in December, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026

The outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, which also predicted the weakest holiday season for retail hiring in more than 15 years, said tariffs, inflation and reliance on automation are dampening demand for seasonal hires.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025