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Services, programs offered to laid off staffers by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff
Information packets outlining the assistance efforts were distributed last week to the employees who received layoff notices. Included in the packets were flyers explaining how to file for unemployment benefits, lists of resources available to employees and advice on coping with job loss. Similar information was given to the staffers' supervisors as well, according to Leslie Fraser, career transition coordinator in Training and Development. All of the information is aimed at assisting individual staff and their supervisors and colleagues in dealing with the layoffs. FSAP director Fran Deats said her office worked closely with Training and Development staff to prepare for the layoffs. She said FSAP can provide personal counseling, while Training and Development can help workers polish their job hunting skills, such as resume writing, career assessment and interview techniques. On a more nuts-and-bolts level, Training and Development is allowing laid-off staff to use its computers and telephones in their job searches. Some sessions on unemployment benefits and financial management issues are also being offered. FSAP counselor Elizabeth Holtzman said Wednesday that several departments contacted her office to talk to employees affected by the layoffs. Reactions to the news was varied, said Holtzman. "Some older employees have a major fear of getting a new job, while younger people feel like they've been paid well at the University and may not find something similar in today's job market. They're asking 'Do I have to change my career?'" FSAP has not yet experienced a surge in calls from individual staff, she said, because "a lot of people are still in shock or denial." |
