A recent LinkedIn report shows 61% of U.S. employees are considering leaving their jobs in 2023, so it is possible someone on your team may quit this year, according to fastcompany.com.
Although an employee’s resignation can be difficult for an employer, it also can be tough for the employee, so it is important you handle his or her departure with kindness and respect.
Fastcompany.com offers the following three ways to respond when an employee quits.
- Congratulate the employee. Do not respond to the employee’s news with anger or extreme sadness; the conversation is about the employee and not you. Wish the employee well and be happy for him or her. There likely will be time later to discuss why the employee is leaving and an opportunity for human resources to conduct an exit interview.
- Share the news. Do not delay letting your company know the employee is leaving. You can share the news or you can allow the employee to share the news so co-workers can process it and prepare for the change to the team. Be considerate of what you ask the employee to do during his or her last few weeks; rather than starting new projects, the employee can use the time to transition his or her current work.
- Celebrate the employee. Honor the contributions the employee has made to the company. You can give him or her a small gift to show your appreciation or ask team members to sign a card. When you celebrate a worker who is leaving, you also leave the door open so he or she may return to the company someday.