When I left my job at O.C. Tanner to help create a tech startup in Portland, Oregon, 19 years ago, I had no intention of returning. I had loved the job but was moving on to other opportunities. At a farewell lunch with my team at a local restaurant, we were all surprised and admittedly a little tense when the CEO walked in and asked to say a few words. He explained that he wanted to personally thank me for the work I’d done and told me I had an open invitation to come back to the company if things didn’t work out. Then he reached into his jacket pocket, handed me a one-way airline ticket from Portland back to Salt Lake City, and said “I mean it.”
Your Company Needs a Process for Offboarding Employees Gracefully
Leaders put a high priority on recruitment and onboarding. And for good reason. But how you offboard employees can be just as important. When people leave, you should show them the same kind of appreciation and support you did when they were part of your company. You might end up rehiring that person down the road. They can be can be a valuable resource for the transition following their exit and more likely to help if they’re not left with a bad taste in their mouth. And, for those who remain, it drives home the point that the organization cares about its employees as people. So, when someone tells you they are moving on, listen to what they have to say about why. Show them they are valued. Point out talents and abilities that will serve them well in their new job. And don’t stop these efforts after the employee walks out the door. Drop them the occasional line asking how they are.