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

From January to March, tech companies announced 52,050 layoffs, up 40% from the same period last year, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

AI was the leading reason U.S.-based employers cited for layoffs in March, according to data from outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Companies attributed nearly 100,000 layoffs to AI between 2023 and March 2026, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 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

A report from the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas last week estimated that U.S. employers cut more than 150,000 jobs in October.

From Salon • Nov. 13, 2025