Benefits of a well managed exit

When an employee hands in their notice it can be a genuine shock for their employer and is often the first moment they realised they were unhappy! This can be a particularly upsetting time when they have been part of a close knit team.  Under these circumstances it is crucial employers take a professional and impartial approach at this stage and not succumb to personal sentiment.

Reacting to this news carefully is far more important that you may think, with poorly managed exits having a direct impact on your company profile, staff retention and attraction. Equally a well managed exit can have an extremely positive impact.

So what would be considered a well managed exit?

Don’t take it personally. People are unpredictable with differing priorities and views. Maintaining a professional approach will ensure you have a positive brand advocate leaving the business, who is more likely to encourage people to join or use your service.

Be honest:  An open discussion with remaining staff as to when and (if appropriate) why the person is leaving and reassurance as to what that means is essential.  Reassuring staff that a replacement will be recruited will allay fears that their workload will increase or if a replacement is not being found then explanation as to how the workload will be managed.

Amicable notice period: An amiable, professional notice period will maintain productivity and reduce the impact of the leaver on your other staff.

Undertake an exit interview: A resignation is an opportunity to have an open and honest discussion and enable you to identify any issues which may need addressing in order to prevent further losses.  If you felt the leaver would feel unable to open up while still employed you could arrange for a telephone interview up to 7 days after they left or consider using a third party to undertake the interview.

Remember reputation is everything.  Over the years we’ve encountered many examples of candidates refusing to consider a role due to rumours and feedback from friends and colleagues who have been former employees of the recruiting firm.  When employers are based in a relatively niche market this can have a dramatic impact on your ability to attract new staff and also has a tangible effect on their buying decisions and that of their peers ultimately risking the loss of paying customers.