A part of creating a happy workplace is creating good relations with your team and enjoying their company, so naturally, it’s never easy saying farewell to a coworker as they embark on to a new journey – whether that be grad school, another agency or promotion they couldn’t say no to, or moving back home to be with loved ones. Seeing a coworker leave can change the entire atmosphere, making it pretty challenging to cope with. It’s even harder seeing people grab the “left overs” and calling dibs on the comfortable chair or organizer left behind. But worse of all, the growing fears of who will now occupy their cube and will we have to whisper when we talk about all the inappropriate “what I did last night” stories.
After experiencing first hand, I realize there are few coping mechanisms:
- Stay Positive! Be happy for the new adventure your colleague has taken on instead of stressing on how you will possibly deal with all the work of two now on to one. And once you start taking on the extra work, you realize you can do it and self success is happiness on its own…
- Even though they are no longer a hop, skip and a jump away, you can continue to talk and stay in touch. Exchange cell phone numbers, personal email addresses, and twitter handles and share life stories through pictures on Instagram
- Celebrate new beginnings (as if we ever need a reason to celebrate more, but in case you do, here it is.) Take a toast for your colleague’s new adventures and then take another toast to starting over, to building new relationships, and new PR bridges.
- Say farewell! It’s hard to say goodbye but it’s even harder not saying it at all. Congratulate on the decisions they have made and let them know you really truly hope that the odds be ever in their favor ♥ ♥
Do you have any other coping mechanisms?
This is really helpful. Reminds me to stay positive and I’ll take any excuse to celebrate!!