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Resignation - keep building relationships

Resignation – avoid burning those bridges
It has been a great pleasure working with a colleague like you. Now, you are off to your next big challenge! Good luck and farewell!

Isn’t that what we all want to hear when we leave?  We were appreciated and we will be missed.

The need for all parties to maintain professional conduct in the event of resignation is critical, particularly now when we are working within an unsettled socio-economic climate. Employees should avoid damaging relationships, and employers need to adopt a neutral approach and ensure that there are policies and processes that enable the separation to be objectively handled.  For example:
  • ·       A formal resignation letter is required
  • ·       A formal acceptance of resignation is issued confirming any special conditions
  • ·       An exit interview takes place
  • ·       Handovers are planned and executed

Our HR team advise those who resign their position to adhere to a few golden rules. Failure to do so could harm whatever bonds have been formed at the workplace and this could have serious implications in the long-term.

“Firstly, it is important to work hard until the very last day of your notice period. Don’t forget that you are still employed by the company and the service or employee contract is still in place,” explains Fari Chibgwe, Head of our HR Divisions. “Other considerations apply, for example many companies do not allow you to take leave during your resignation month and it is important to ensure that a proper ‘hand-over’ takes place for the benefit of your successor.”

One of the issues that constantly surprises us is how many people forget that a reference is required from companies.   There seems to be a view that the next position is “the one” and there won’t be a need for a reference from the previous company!


“Whilst employers are contractually obliged to issue a reference, they have the freedom and right to divulge as much detail as they would like. In other words, the impression you make during your last days at a company could have a serious impact on the quality of this document,” says Fari.

Unless you are about to retire, it is really important to remember that the last impression is what will stay in the memories of your former colleagues and management.   Frequently, your first move after a long tenure in one company is not the right one, and you need good references from all your former employers.   Take the time to finish any projects that need to be completed, make good notes for your successor if you are not able to train them personally.   Put in writing any special relationships or methods that you use that maximise efficiency and send it to the relevant parties.

Using the last weeks in a company as a positive, relationship building period is one of the very best ways to grow a successful career.

Links, References and Notes

Accsys provides people management solutions ie Payroll, Human Resources (HR), Time and Attendance as well as Access Control/Visitor Management.
The company develops, implements, trains and services our solutions.  We provide readers, turnstiles, booms and CCTV.
We run both on premise and in the cloud, as well as mobile options for ESS.  Recruitment, online education and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) are part of our offering, too.
http://www.accsys.co.za/accsys-peopleplace-talent-management
email:      tschroenn@accsys.co.za
twitter:   @TerylSchroenn

References

Note:   Thank you for reading Teryl@Work.   Should you wish to use any of the material, please acknowledge this blog as the source.

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