Recently I was touched by the story of a friend who, after 26 years of dedicated and exemplary service to an organization, was not recognized by senior management upon her retirement. While her peers and constituents celebrated her with gifts and praise, her boss said virtually nothing to recognize her work and commitment. In fact, she may not have even said goodbye if my friend had not taken the initiative of going to her office to leave a key.
That same week I spoke with an outplacement client who had been laid off after 12 years due to downsizing. While I am helping him set a new direction complete with resume and a networking strategy, that task is more difficult because his self confidence has taken a hit. It seems that there was no official "thank you for your years of service" send off for this person either. The good wishes that were expressed by his peers during a final staff luncheon did not make up for the lack of acknowledgement from management for his work of many years.
In both of these cases, it would have taken only a few minutes and no expense for the organization's leadership to make a positive lasting impression, rather than a negative one that resulted in ill will and a sense of failure.
Giving a verbal and written thank you and an acknowledgement of a person's specific contributions to an organization as they leave, may seem obvious to many of us. But, I can assure you that this simple yet profound gesture is too often overlooked to the detriment of both the employee and the organization.
"Gratitude is the memory of the heart." ~Jean Baptiste Massieu
Hello Barbara;
I am currently on disability from a clerical job at a local community college. My supervisor will fight you to the death about your comment that no expense would be incurred by the company for taking the time to bid someone fairwell.
Keep in mind this woman (I hesitate to give her any designation referring to her as human...sincerely) has a department consisting of 2 faculty, one secretary, and multiple part time faculty. The example that i cite here is one she never would have heard about if I had not told her.
I ordered a blood pressure cuff, sygnomometer, and stethescope from one supplier to the institution that was paid for by me with my funds. The only involvement anyone other than me was the box (which was about the size of a textbook) was added to a cart of mail being delivered to many different offices around campus. I could have gone without telling anyone but knew that if she found out from someone else that I had been seen leaving with what I ordered and not told her there would have been hell to pay. So i told her and in return she wrote me up and tried to fire me. I had an exemplary record with nothing but positive reviews over the 10 years I had worked for her. If i had not been friends with the Dean of the division I would have been unemployed.
You see ALL that time that was wasted by the placing of my package on the delivery cart and having wheeled it by the office I worked in wasted resources of the school. I could not believe my ears!
Posted by Daniel C. Blausey
It's also a shame that you are leaving on such negative terms after so long on the job. I hope your next position is a turn around.
Posted by Barbara
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