When layoffs are unavoidable, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services' Rapid Response Unit provides vital help to both the affected workers and their communities. As soon as the department receives a WARN notice, the Rapid Response Unit can assess what services the workers need and then provide those services, either nearby or on-site. Rapid Response staff can help workers with skills assessment, basic skills training, individual career counseling, short- and long-term occupational skills training, and job seeking and placement assistance. Help for both workers and employers also is available at the state's One-Stop Centers.
If you will be laying off more than 50 people, you must follow mandatory federal Department of Labor requirements. To learn more, click here.
Employers planning layoffs should follow these simple steps:
Step One: Notify Us We urge you to contact your region's Rapid Response coordinator as soon as possible. The coordinator will meet with you and discuss what programs are available. He or she will ask you information about your workers, the type of work they do and your layoff timetable. The sooner you call, the more assistance we can provide.
To find your local ODJFS Rapid Response Coordinator, Department of Development Rapid Response Coordinator, and State Rapid Response Director, click here. They will set up a time to talk with you within 24 hours of your call.
Click here to review the JFS 01810 Initial Rapid Response Contact Report. Click here to review the JFS 01811 Rapid Response Characteristics Worksheet, which is a simple questionnaire that will allow us to learn more about your workers and the types of assistance you and they will need.
Step Two: Initial Meeting Your Rapid Response coordinator will schedule a meeting with you to gather more complete information about your organization's situation and the plans you have made for your employees. The coordinator will discuss how we can best assist you and your employees throughout this process. Studies have shown that when employees and employers work together to receive our services, the employees are able to obtain employment and move on to their next careers sooner.
Step Three: Plan Our Rapid Response team will survey your employees to identify all possible services they might need. From this information, and working closely with you, we will develop an action plan for a smooth transition. Many companies provide on-site space for early intervention services. You might think about the availability of a meeting room, computer access and your communication strategy. You also may consider forming a transition team.
Ideally, a joint action plan will be developed with labor, management and service providers present. The state team will present the options for transitional services, and you may decide how to proceed. The plan could include a number of actions, including worker orientation, communication about services, scheduling an orientation meeting, and plans and schedules for additional activities, such as the opening of a transition center or the hosting of a job fair.
Step Four: Worker Orientation After workers have been notified of the layoff, our Rapid Response team members will meet with them to outline the wide variety of programs and services available, and to answer their questions. This meeting will be held during business hours, at a time convenient for most workers to attend.
Step Five: Access to Services Sometimes Rapid Response services are provided on site. Other times they are provided off site, but nearby. Working with you, we will decide where best to provide these services for your employees.
These services can include:
To Find Your Local One-Stop:http://jfs.ohio.gov/owd/wiamap.stm
State Employment Program Resourceshttp://jfs.ohio.gov/owd/jobseekers/One-Stop-Services.stm
Resources for the Unemployed http://jfs.ohio.gov/ocomm_root/unempresources.stm