Halloween special!
Every June and December, stories abound of employees being made redundant with little or no warning.
These individuals often have no opportunity to say farewell to colleagues, no recognition for their contributions (sometimes spanning over a decade), and no well-wishes from management for their future endeavours.
The abruptness can feel like ghosting – one day, you’re part of the team and the next, you’re gone. Why would any organisation let someone leave without at least saying good luck?
Unless an employee has committed a serious offence, it’s only fitting to acknowledge their contributions and thank them for being part of the organisation. Even if their job is no longer required.
This isn’t the only form of ghosting in the workplace. It also manifests as refusing to say hello when you are in the same office, job candidates left without feedback, ignored proposals or cold calls, and emails from colleagues that go unanswered.
This phenomenon is too common and can severely damage both individual and organisational reputations.
Yes, everyone can be guilty of lapses in communication. We get busy, and sometimes there aren’t enough hours in a day, but we must make a conscious effort not to let this happen all the time.
If there’s a former colleague you haven’t spoken to in a while, take the opportunity this week to say hello. You may be pleasantly surprised at how lovely it is.
Tips of the Trade – Off-boarding
Leaving a job shouldn’t make you feel like walking a plank.
A good off-boarding process is crucial, regardless of whether an employee quits voluntarily or is made redundant.
So, what does off-boarding look like?
If you have flown, remember the disembarking process? It prioritises safety, efficiency and courtesy.
Everyone remains seated with seat belts fastened until the sign is off and the door opens.
Then, passengers gather their personal belongings and, as they approach the exit, thank the crew members, who stand near the door to bid farewell.
Organisational off-boarding should look and feel the same – and it’s not too hard to achieve.
Follow a process that prioritises gratitude and courtesy and you can’t go wrong.
Well-handled, it delivers a positive experience for both individuals and organisations, setting up a solid foundation for potential future collaborations.
Because who doesn’t want to be fondly remembered, right?!