iRelaunch: From Career Break to Career Re-entry

By Robert Chess, Jocelyn H. Hornblower
2020 | Case No. SM325 | Length 17 pgs.
This case is primarily about the opportunity for mid-career professionals to return to work after a career break. It focuses on the company iRelaunch, which helps companies develop and implement career re-entry programs and connects employees and employers. The case protagonist is Carol Fishman Cohen, co-founder of iRelaunch. The case also touches on the different types of return to work programs and includes a vignette on Chevron which highlights the experience of three women participating in the company’s pilot return to work program.

Learning Objective

The learning objective of the case is for students to think about and discuss the opportunities for mid-career professionals to return to the workforce after a career break. Specifically, analyze the pros and cons from an employer’s perspective about hiring from this talent pool, and also analyze the challenges and opportunities from the “relauncher’s” perspective, as well as that of the existing employees at a company that offers a return to work program. Understand the various types of programs and how they differ.
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