Do companies need to think about Post Lay-off assistance?

My heart goes out to everyone out there who is being laid off. It makes me genuinely sad. Having said that I’d also like to believe that companies who are laying off employees do it as they are helpless and I’m sure no one enjoys it. No one!
I received a call yesterday from one of my clients asking for post lay off assistance. It was essentially letting our trained behavioral psychologists speak with all employees who have been recently laid off. A remarkable gesture in my opinion.

She followed it up with if you come across anyone who is under extreme distress let us know. Not that we can give them their job back but let’s look at what kind of support can be provided.
People are different and so are circumstances. Not having a job can mean very different things to different people. While some could have a plan B there could be others who are just are not able to cope and become desperate.

As organizations, we have a moral responsibility to take care of them. Don’t you think?
Help them with career or personal counseling, offer assistance with job consultants. Share self-help videos and literature that perhaps allay some of the fears.

Should companies invest in reaching out to employees even after they have been laid off to see how their ex-employees are coping? Please share your comments. It’s our collective responsibility and your ideas definitely matter…..