Swiss Outplacement Association (formerly ACF Switzerland)
The Swiss Outplacement Association, established in February 2004, is the alliance of leading providers in career management and outplacement.
Our primary objective is to uphold professional standards with high competence and integrity in the following areas:
Our members are committed to delivering solutions that positively shape the human impact of change—benefiting both individuals and organizations. The association addresses key industry topics and fosters a broader understanding and acceptance of our services among individuals, businesses, and society as a whole.
As members of our association, we share a commitment to providing top-tier services characterized by quality, professionalism, sustainability, and the successful implementation of measurable improvements.
Our acitivities include:
Services
Members of the Swiss Outplacement Association offer their clients services in the following core areas:
Outplacement
By supporting individuals in professional transition situations, outplacement helps ensure their future employability. Outplacement services include counseling and guidance for individuals affected by or at risk of job loss—whether in managing the separation process, assessing their skills and personal goals, or searching for a new career opportunity. This may involve securing a new position, pursuing self-employment, or exploring an entirely new life perspective.
What is Outplacement?
Outplacement is a professional service funded by employers to help employees who have been laid off find a new professional challenge within a reasonable timeframe. It provides comprehensive counseling and support, including:
- Individual coaching and career counseling
- Personal assessment and application of proven methods for career reorientation and planning
- Access to up-to-date economic and job databases, as well as business networks
Members of the Swiss Outplacement Association benefit from an international network that actively supports clients’ global job searches through expertise and connections.
Supporting Individuals in Career Transitions
Losing a job involuntarily is a significant personal challenge for anyone affected. Outplacement counseling provides support in a safe environment and helps individuals find new employment or gain the confidence to start their own business:
- Personalized support during a challenging period, helping individuals develop new career perspectives
- Defining clear career goals and assisting with their implementation in the job market
- Accelerating the transition to a new and secure position
Strengthening Organizations
To assist employers in making the separation process as socially responsible and efficient as possible by advising them on the planning, implementation, and optimization of their termination and separation strategies. The key benefits of external outplacement services from an organizational perspective include:
- Helping organizations adjust their workforce to changing market conditions while facilitating planning for the duration and cost of separations
- Demonstrating corporate social responsibility during difficult times, which can help maintain or even enhance the company’s employer brand and reputation with customers. It also supports the motivation and engagement of remaining employees
- Ensuring business continuity and maintaining organizational performance
Supporting the Public Good
Employer-funded outplacement services help reduce unemployment insurance costs—ultimately lowering the financial burden on taxpayers—and mitigate the negative effects of prolonged unemployment on health and social integration. This creates significant public benefits:
- Reducing unemployment duration and lowering public expenditure through preventive measures and faster reintegration into the workforce
- Promoting social and economic responsibility within the private sector
- Minimizing the health and social consequences of unemployment by ensuring a swift return to work, reducing the risk of illness and disability
- Decreasing tax revenue losses for the state by shortening periods of unemployment
- Facilitating and supporting economic transformation processes
Career Management
We support individuals in assessing their personal profiles and potential, enabling them to develop their careers within their current organization or transition successfully to new opportunities.
ASSESSMENT FOR CAREER POSITIONING
A thorough analysis of one’s current situation is essential for effective and targeted career planning and personal development. The first step is to gain a clear understanding of one’s skills, interests, needs, aspirations, and career opportunities.
To facilitate this, we offer executives and professionals structured assessment methods that provide a reflective and well-founded career positioning. These assessments help individuals gain clarity about their personal and professional expectations and goals. Based on these insights, they can then develop a tailored career plan and implementation strategy.
Personal career planning
Successful career planning requires aligning personal aspirations with real-world opportunities and constraints. In addition to the insights gained from the career assessment, a deep understanding of business practices and labor market trends is necessary.
The key is to identify realistic career scenarios and provide candidates with pragmatic pathways for achieving their goals. We support executives and professionals in evaluating their career options and guide them in developing customized, goal-oriented career plans.
SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVING CAREER GOALS
One of the biggest challenges in career management is translating ambitious plans into concrete achievements. This requires systematic, consistent, and forward-thinking project management, ensuring that progress is continuously monitored, reviewed, and adjusted as needed.
We act as project coaches and sparring partners for executives and professionals, helping them stay focused on their objectives, learn from experiences, and maintain momentum throughout their career development.
At the same time, career progression must be linked to sustainable personal development. This includes enhancing both technical and personal competencies to successfully reach the desired career milestones.
We assist executives and professionals in designing, planning, and executing individualized development plans. Through consulting, coaching, and training, we support them in their personal growth and preparation for the next steps in their careers.
HR Services in Change Management
These services, aimed at fostering personal and organizational development, include assessments, talent development, executive coaching, and various consulting services related to restructuring, employee retention, workforce reductions, and transformation projects.
PREPARATION FOR CHANGE
The implementation of innovative initiatives or new strategies often leads to organizational change. Employees are frequently directly affected by the negative impacts of such measures. Resistance, uncertainty, fear, internal conflicts, and lack of acceptance are common consequences.
For changes to be implemented successfully and efficiently, organizations need their employees to act as a positive and supportive force. The key success factors for this are engagement, participation, transparency, communication, and values-based leadership.
With our expertise, we help companies proactively prepare for and plan change initiatives, carefully considering critical factors, identifying potential mistakes and negative impacts early on, and ensuring sustainable change success.
BUILDING TRUST THROUGH COMMUNICATION
In times of significant change, such as restructurings or workforce reductions, companies often communicate in an uncertain and hesitant manner. However, cautious communication can lead to poor communication, resulting in a lack of transparency, increased uncertainty, speculation, rumors, and a sense of leadership vacuum within the organization.
Our member firms have extensive experience in effectively communicating decisions and changes to employees. A well-planned and credible communication strategy can positively shape change processes and foster trust throughout the organization.
RETAINING KEY TALENT
During periods of change, it is crucial to retain key employees and actively involve them in the transformation process. Top talent is often the first to leave an organization during challenging times, as they have many attractive opportunities on the job market. Therefore, special attention must be given to retaining these key individuals during change initiatives.
However, talent retention goes beyond merely keeping employees within the company. Their engagement, participation, and active contribution can drive positive momentum and play a vital role in the success of the transformation process.
We have extensive experience in strategically integrating and engaging key employees in change initiatives, ensuring they become advocates for the transformation
SUPPORTING THE WORKFORCE THROUGH CHANGE
Sudden changes and uncertainties can lead to significant fluctuations in employee performance and mental barriers. It is therefore essential to actively support employees in processing and adapting to change while continuously minimizing demotivating factors.
Employees should be given early opportunities to overcome concerns and develop positive experiences with new initiatives. Group dynamics play a crucial role in this process.
We have extensive experience in preparing and guiding entire workforces through change, ensuring that employees remain engaged and motivated. Additionally, we are skilled in identifying individual challenges early on and addressing them appropriately to prevent resistance from hindering progress.
About us
The Swiss Outplacement Association was founded in 2004 and is registered as a non-profit organization in the Zurich Commercial Register. It brings together the leading firms in career management and outplacement consulting across Switzerland.
Mission and Ethics
Our mission is to advance the interests of the profession by addressing industry-wide topics and initiatives that are best tackled collectively rather than by individual members or smaller groups.
Members of the Swiss Outplacement Association are committed to delivering high-quality, professional, and sustainable services that drive successful career transitions. The professional excellence of our members is based on four key principles:
Testimonials
Organization
The Swiss Outplacement Association is managed by an executive board that oversees the organization in accordance with the statutes adopted by its members, professional consulting standards, and a strict code of ethics.
No individual member firm or any other entity within the association—except for the General Assembly of members—has the authority to commit the association to any obligations.
The governing bodies of the association include the General Assembly of member firms, the executive board (elected by the General Assembly), an administrative office, and the auditors.
Board Membership and responsibilities
President:
Marco Sommer
Right Management – Talent Solutions ManpowerGroup AG*
Treasurer:
Nick Dryden
Von Rohr & Associates SA*
Members:
Regula Mäder
Mäder und Partner AG
Dr. Mark Richter
OTP Organisation & Training Partners AG*
Stefan Hernandez
Grass & Partner AG
Carine Dilitz
Oxalys Consultants SA
Pascal-Laurent Favre
pdp performance development partners sa
Markus Schluchter
Schluchter, Licci & Partner AG
* Founding members
Members
Members of ACF Switzerland
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Contact
Nick Dryden
Von Rohr & Associates SA
Avenue Blanc 47
CH-1202 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 901 3340
E-Mail nick.dryden@vonrohr.net