Management usually needs at least two weeks’ notice ahead of time. If you have projects to finish or new employees to train, they may expect more notice. Regardless, make sure that your bosses are the first to know that you’re leaving. [2] X Expert Source Jennifer Landis-Santos, PCC, NBHWCCertified Career Counselor & Wellness Coach Expert Interview. 6 April 2022. After letting management know, it’s ok to tell your coworkers. Do so whenever you feel comfortable, or whenever it’s convenient, but do it before your last day.
Once you have announced that you are leaving, chances are that your coworkers will come trickling in to say goodbye. Because of this, saying goodbye can be made easier if you are done with all of your tasks.
However, keep in mind that unless you are moving, you will be able to see your coworkers outside of work if you really want to. Consider organizing a small event for your close coworkers outside of the office environment. [4] X Research source If your coworker is leaving and you’re staying, it might also be a good idea to get together a small group of coworkers to all go drop by and say goodbye at once. This can make it a lot easier on your coworker, by taking the first step. [5] X Expert Source Jennifer Landis-Santos, PCC, NBHWCCertified Career Counselor & Wellness Coach Expert Interview. 6 April 2022.
In the weeks before your departure, consider beginning to connect with coworkers on business platforms like LinkedIn, if you have not already. This can be an excellent way to feel like you’ve still got professional contacts and references at the ready, if you should need them in the future.
If your coworker is leaving and you’re staying, try to remember that they’ve got a lot of people to talk to, and might not want to have a 45 minute long debrief with every single person. Even if you’re sad to see them go, keep it quiet and make plans later if necessary. It would be perfectly fine to say something like, “Mark! It’s been good working together. Keep things locked down around here. You’re a good guy. Let me know how you’re doing, ok?”
On the down low, invite a few of your close friends to after-work drinks or dinner to decompress after the day and talk more openly. This can be an excellent way of spending a bit of time with the people your’e legitimately interested in keeping in touch with outside of work.
Dear coworkers: As you may have heard, I will be leaving my position as (your position) tomorrow. I just wanted to say that it has been a pleasure working with all of you. I would love to stay in contact and can be reached at (your email) or on my LinkedIn profile. Cheers to the great times we have had working together. Sincerely, (Your Name).
It is always wise to end on a happy note so try to be as positive about your experience at the company as possible. This is especially important if you are sending this email to your boss.
Include specific things you enjoyed about your workplace to make your email more personal. Try, “This team has always been so supportive and encouraging, and I’m grateful to have gotten to know each and every one of you. “[9] X Expert Source Jennifer Landis-Santos, PCC, NBHWCCertified Career Counselor & Wellness Coach Expert Interview. 6 April 2022.
You could also consider selecting only a few coworkers to share your information with. An email can be an easy way of getting everyone on the same thread and sharing info together, to make sure you’ll all be able to get together in the future. [11] X Research source
Make sure that you have included everyone that you want to in your email. Consider reading your email out loud to see if any part sounds awkward.
If you are unable to meet with your closest coworkers one-on-one for some reason, you should send out personal emails telling them how much you have enjoyed working with them. Make sure that you give them your personal contact information so that you can stay in touch outside of the office. An example personal email may include something like: Dear (Coworker’s name): As you have probably heard, I am going to be leaving this company soon. I have enjoyed working with you so much and will miss your positive energy. I would love to stay in touch and hope that we can hang out outside of the office. You can reach me on my phone (number) or at (your email). Cheers to the time that we got to spend working together! Sincerely, (Your Name).
If you feel rude making plans with some people and not others, just keep your plans quiet. No need in letting everyone know you’re going to be getting together with one person on a regular basis to watch football if that’ll offend some of your other coworkers.
If you’ve got a legitimate beef that you need settled in words, do it in person, one-on-one, and keep it as professional as possible. Tell your boss (or whoever it is that you’ve got a problem with) that you’d like a word in private to talk about some things. At some workplaces, it’s common to do an exit interview, in which you’ll be able to voice your frustrations free of having to worry about how it will affect your job. You’re already leaving, so there’s no sense in speaking softly now.
If you really feel the need to bring something, a box of pastries or donuts for the floor would be a perfectly fine way of giving a little something nice back, but don’t feel like you need to pass around a bunch of iPods to say goodbye. There’s no need. If your coworker is leaving and you want to wish them luck, a card would be a perfectly friendly way of doing so. Again, no need for gold watches.
Likewise, it’s a bad idea to brag about how much better your new job is going to be if you’re leaving for greener pastures. try to remember that your coworkers still have to come back in on Monday, and you don’t want to leave a toxic work environment in your wake.
