The Hindu Business Line : HLL to seek outplacement for food division employees

As in most corporate relocation processes, HLL will offer outplacement services (help them get alternative employment) to employees who are unable to move to the new location.

Recruitment industry sources in Bangalore said that out of the nearly 300 employees currently working at Brookefields, Bangalore, about one hundred are likely to seek help in outplacement.

"Most of the seniors have already moved out, leaving the officer and clerical grade employees with an option to move to Mumbai or seek outplacement," they said.

Completion by year-end

The company intends to complete the process by the year-end, the sources added.

Mr Paresh Chaudhry, Communication Leader (South Asia), HLL, confirmed to Business Line that the company was putting in place an outplacement plan.

"We are still in the process of contacting all our employees and seeking their view about moving to Mumbai. Some of them may wish to remain here for personal reasons; like school-going children or aged parents. In that case, we will fully support them in getting settled in another job."

However, he said that the outplacement process is likely to kick off in 2-3 weeks.

A compensation plan to benefit outplaced employees is also being worked out, sources said.

Early this month, HLL had announced its intention to relocate the Bangalore workforce to Mumbai. Even at Mumbai, the consolidation process is on and all employees are expected to move to a new corporate office in 18 months, according to the sources.

They also pointed to a global move by Unilever that may have impacted the workforce in India, albeit in a small way.

Unilever recently awarded a £500-million HR outsourcing deal to Accenture.

"Though this may not have large-scale impact here, some support functions may get affected," the sources said.