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Building Relationships as You Leave
Your Job
Leaving your job can be a positive transition for
everyone involved. You have the power to ensure that leaving your current
employer strengthens your relationship and reputation rather than destroying
it.
Remember the day you started your job? Most likely
you were welcomed with open arms, introduced to co-workers and supported as you
eased into your role. There was an air of excitement and the experience was a
positive one.
And now its time to move on. There is a way to
leave with the same collegiality and positive atmosphere. There is a way to
strengthen bridges rather than burn them behind you. Really!
- Transitions need to be
carefully planned and thought through. It is important to give as
much notice as possible (3-4 weeks for a professional position). Consider
others' vacation schedules and workload distribution. Think through what
needs to be done and develop a transition plan. Your employer will
appreciate your thoughtfulness. After all, you know your job better than
anyone else and your supervisor should welcome ideas on how best to recruit
a replacement and transition your work.
- Feelings need to be
considered as well as the practical aspects of leaving your employer.
As with any ending, there is a period of shock and grief. Be prepared for
this, both within yourself and with your co-workers, supervisor and
colleagues. As we all know, people express grief differently. One colleague
may wish you well, another may express anger and yet another may burst into
tears. Even if you are leaving because of difficult circumstances, there
will be feelings about your leaving. Take time to listen and talk with your
co-workers and supervisor. To exit gracefully, you will need their support.
- Resist the urge to focus
on the negative. You are leaving for a reason. It is best to
focus on the positive aspects of your employment during your transition
time. Thank the people who hired you and those who mentored and supported
you. If you decide to discuss your disenchantment with your work, carefully
plan a constructive way to do this. It may be that you save your suggestions
for an
exit
interview with the human resource department. If you are feeling angry
and resentful about your employment, consider talking it over with family
and friends before resigning. If there are extenuating circumstances, a
visit to an employee assistance counselor, may help you deal with your
negative feelings and plan your successful transition.
- Allow for ceremonies.
With any transition, marking the ending of a period of employment is
important. Allow your co-workers to have a farewell party for you or go to
lunch with them. Gracefully accept cards and remembrances. Take time to
write to those who have supported you in this period of employment, thank
them, and let them know how to contact you after you leave.
- Organize, Organize, Organize. Take a moment and think of the person that
will follow you and take over your workload. Organize it, tie up all loose
ends possible, and make your files and notes easy to understand and locate.
- Transition relationships. Make a list of your cases or projects,
indicate what is needed next and suggest a transition plan. If you are a
clinician, develop a transition plan for your clients that gives them enough
time to work through their own reactions, involve them in the transition to
the next clinician and, if possible, have a three-way session with the
client and the new clinician. This strategy will work well for any
significant work relationship as well. You have important contacts and it is
gracious to introduce those people to the person who will be taking your
place.
- Take care of yourself. Interviewing for a new position, accepting
it, giving notice at your old position and managing a positive, graceful
transition is not easy. It will require considerable physical, mental and
emotional energy. Allow for a vacation between jobs. Reflect on your last
job and what it meant for you and set some goals for the job that you will
soon start. Make sure you take time to rest and renew your spirit.
- Arrive refreshed at your new
job. Hit the ground
running! They will be ready for you and expect you to be enthusiastic. Make
sure you have the mental and emotional energy necessary to meet new people
and learn new systems. Celebrate your new beginning!
To Reprint this article, contact the author - Elizabeth Rose at
southwestliz@yahoo.com
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