Laid Off Worker Assistance: Layoff Tool Kit

The following steps are scalable and can be used with small and mass layoffs.

Step 1 - Planning:

Coordinate - Locally, coordinate business layoff and closures using Illinois workNet with the local Illinois workNet Coordinator, local Illinois workNet content editor(s), local Laid Off Workers Assistance Coordinator, and other organizations working together to assist individuals during business layoffs and closings.
Laid Off Worker Assistance (Rapid Response) Planning Guide (MS Word)

Plan - Include using Illinois workNet layoff resources on the agenda with pre-layoff meetings to ensure all agencies working on the event and the business that is laying off or closing are aware of and use Illinois workNet resources. It is helpful to have a couple of printed samples of layoff resources during planning meetings, or to go online during the meeting so the group may view information about available layoff resources. Use this Laid Off Worker assistance flyer (PDF) to introduce how Illinois workNet Laid Off Worker Assistance resources are used by Rapid Response teams, including unions, IDES, DCEO and IDHS, partners, and the business that is laying off workers. A suggested agenda item to copy and paste in your meeting agenda follows:

Introduction to the Illinois workNet website, training, and print resources for layoffs and closures
- Online layoff resources for individuals affected by layoffs and closures
- Connecting individuals to layoff resources web pages
- Setting up a locally customizable Layoff/Laid Off Workers Assistance Web Page
- Posting local events such as workshops
- Training Peer Counselors and other workforce professionals as Certified Illinois workNet Advisors
- Using locally customizable print materials

Step 2 - Train - Enroll peer counselors and other workforce professionals who will be assisting individuals affected by the layoff in the Certified Illinois workNet Advisor Online Course .

Use information about Key Sector industries and Labor Market Information (LMI) to identify industries that show job growth in Illinois. Review the Key Sectors and Labor Market Information Basics Handout (PDF) and (PowerPoint).

Step 3 - Outreach:

Advertise - Promoting Laid Off Worker Activities . Post local information to the Illinois workNet website.

a. Determine if a locally customized Layoff/Laid Off Workers Assistance page would be beneficial to individuals and, if so, follow the directions to request and setup a local page .
b. Advertise local events and promote local resources throughout the website (MS Word).

Print Materials - Use locally customizable print materials with pre-layoff workshops and any other events that may be attended by those affected by the layoff. The pre-formatted business cards are very useful and appropriate for events such as the pre-layoff workshops and should be handed out apart from other materials. For example, at a pre-layoff workshop, the cards should be provided to all participants and have a presenter point out the card and suggest that because it is valuable, participants could put it in their wallets.

Setup Accounts - Provide opportunities for individuals affected by the layoff to setup an Illinois workNet account. For example, with any events where Internet access is available either setup a portable computer lab or direct people to an existing computer lab at the event location, provide them the locally customizable business card, have them setup an account, and write their user name and password on the business card. Use a handout with next steps so either at that time or at the individual’s convenience they have a good idea of helpful resources available to them through their Illinois workNet account.

Network with Partners – Many times, business layoffs and closures have a community-wide impact. Network with partners to build awareness of and ensure use of Illinois workNet resources. Work with partners to make the connections individuals need to ensure resources are readily available online. An example of making connections is, whenever possible, have partners link to Illinois workNet from their website. To expedite partner links, provide them the “Link to Us .”

Step 1 - Review Department of Labor Rapid Response Services for Employers to learn more about the services offered and services that may help avert or minimize layoffs

Step 2 - Learn how Illinois conducts Rapid Response events

Step 3 - Use the resources in the Planning and Outreach section of this page to market Rapid Response events

Step 4 - Review the resources on the Illinois workNet Businesses pathway

Step 5 - Review the additional resources for NEG, Rapid Response, TAA/TGAAA and WARN below

Step 1 - Coordinate with your local Laid Off Worker Assistance (Rapid Response) Team members to organize pre-layoff workshops. Use the Laid Off Worker Assistance (Rapid Response) Planning Guide (MS Word) for planning.

Step 2 - Contact your local Content Manager (PDF) to set up a Company Specific Laid Off Worker Assistance page. This page is where individuals affected by a layoff will quickly and easily connect to information and services they want and need. It is important that the information on this page is correct and up to date.

Step 3 - Have a workshop or series of workshops incorporating Illinois workNet to show how to find resources and connect to services. If a computer lab is not available, demonstrate the Laid Off Worker Assistance pages and give the participants an instruction/question sheet for them to use while exploring the Illinois workNet web site on their own or while using resource room computers.

Use the pre-formatted business cards for workshops. Hand them out to participants apart from other materials. Have the workshop participants set up My Illinois workNet Individuals accounts and write their username and password on the card. Then have a presenter point out the card and suggest that because it is valuable, participants could put it in their wallets. Business card holders can easily refer to the card when they need to access the Laid Off Worker Assistance pages.

Step 4 - Use the Customer Groups Tool on Illinois workNet. By adding the individuals affected by a layoff to a Customer Group, information stored in their account, such as their answers to "My Activities", can be reviewed to monitor their progress. This tool also offers the ability to send communications to group members. You can send emails or leave a message directly in their account. This can be used to send workshop invitations or to inform the group of local resources.

Step 5 - Direct individuals to In Demand occupations . Use the Key Sectors pathway and Labor Market Information (LMI) to assist laid off workers to find retraining opportunities in demanded occupations.

Step 6 - Set up a Social Media network to openly communicate with individuals affected by a layoff.

Click on the following links to learn more:

Definition and purpose of NEG

NEG Total Active Awards Information

Eligible Events for NEG funding

How to apply for NEG

Click on the following links to learn more:

Rapid Response General Information

Rapid Response Services for Employers

Rapid Response Services for Laid Off Workers

State Rapid Response Coordinators
 
Rapid Response Procedures Manual (PDF ) 2-08-2012

Click on the following links to learn more:

TAA Questions and Answers (PDF ) 

TAA Benefits Brochure (MS Word)  This is an editable brochure that can be customized with your logo and contact information.

TGAAA Benefits Brochure (MS Word) This is an editable brochure that can be customized with your logo and contact information.

How to apply for TAA  

Trade Program workforce partner resources on Illinois workNet 

Trade Program Illinois workNet resources for individuals

Click on the following links to learn more:

Review the WARN Act

Learn the difference between the Federal and State WARN acts

WARN Fact Sheet

WARN Reports

Laid Off Worker Assistance (Rapid Response) Planning Guide (MS Word)

Laid Off Worker Assistance Icon for Print Materials (JPG) This is a high resolution image that can be used for printed materials.

Laid Off Worker Assistance Icon (MS Word) This is an icon in an MS Word document for creating local printed materials.

Laid Off Worker Assistance Icon for Websites (GIF) This is a web resolution (120p x 120p) that can be used for web based applications.

Laid Off Worker Assistance Business Card Option 1 (MS Word) This card is set up to print double-sided, 10 cards per page.

Laid Off Worker Assistance Business Card Option 2 (MS Word) (MS Pub) This card is set up to print double-sided, 8 cards per page.

Laid Off Worker Assistance Flyer (MS Word) This editable flyer can be customized for use in any laid off worker assistance event.

Laid Off Worker Assistance Postcard Flyer (MS Word) This editable post card size flyer is double-sided, 4 cards per page. 

TAA Benefits Brochure (Target Audience: Individuals) (MS Word)  This is an editable brochure that can be customized with your logo and contact information.

TGAAA Benefits Brochure(Target Audience: Individuals) (MS Word) This is an editable brochure that can be customized with your logo and contact information.

WARN Information Brochure (Target Audience: Businesses) (MS Word)  This is an editable brochure that can be customized with your logo and contact information

WIA Benefits Brochure (Target Audience: Individuals) (MS Word)  This is an editable brochure that can be customized with your logo and contact information.