5 Constructive Ways to Handle Employee Resignation

Welcome to Leading Engineers - a weekly newsletter specifically for engineering leaders who want to increase your impact at every level of the organization.? Each week you’ll gain powerful strategies, techniques, and insights for driving your team, company, and career forward!

This week's topic:

5 Constructive Ways to Handle Employee Resignation

Today, we'll be diving into an important topic that every manager faces at some point - handling employee resignations.?

Resignations are a natural part of the working world, but how you handle them can significantly impact your team's dynamics and overall success…

Let's explore the 5 best ways to handle an employee resignation, so that you can ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved.

1 - Treat the Resigner Great

When an employee resigns, it's crucial to maintain professionalism and treat them with respect.?

Avoid dismissing them during their notice period; instead, continue treating them as a valuable member of the team.?

Remember, word travels fast, and the resigning employee's experiences will be shared. By handling their resignation well, you protect your reputation and maintain positive relationships.

2 - Transparent Communication to Team

Transparency is key when communicating the resignation to the rest of the team. Holding a meeting to address the situation openly helps dispel rumors and minimizes uncertainty.?

Share what you know and don't know, outlining the steps being taken to ensure a smooth transition. Involve the resigning employee in crafting the message, respecting their preferences for confidentiality.?

By controlling the story, you prevent misinformation and maintain trust.

3 - Elevate Another Employee

Use this opportunity to identify potential successors within your team. Look for individuals ready to step up or consider a collective effort to redistribute responsibilities.?

By rewarding and acknowledging your top performers, you create an environment that values growth and demonstrates that opportunities await those who excel.?

Turning a resignation into an opportunity for development is a powerful way to make the most of the situation.

4 - Learn Why They're Leaving

Conducting exit interviews allows you to gain valuable insight into your company's strengths and weaknesses. Embrace honest feedback from departing employees, as they have little reason to hold back.?

Use this opportunity to uncover blind spots, areas for improvement, and ensure your company remains competitive. Every resignation can be seen as a stress test, exposing vulnerabilities that need attention.

5 - Leverage Resigner's Feedback

Build on the feedback received during exit interviews to drive positive change. Identify areas where adjustments are required and work with your superiors, HR, or your company to rectify any shortcomings.?

The resigning employee's insights can lead to improvements in compensation, work environment, growth opportunities, or even setting clear expectations for future hires.?

Use their feedback as a leverage point to enhance your team's satisfaction and retention.

Bonus Tip!

In some cases, if you strongly value an employee and their departure would significantly impact the team, consider making an effort to convince them to stay.?

Explore the reasons behind their resignation and address their concerns directly. Sometimes, open dialogue and demonstrating your commitment to their growth and well-being can lead to a change of heart.

Remember, managing resignations is an opportunity for growth and improvement. By handling them effectively, you ensure a smoother transition for both departing employees and those remaining in the team.

And if you’re an engineering leader who wants to learn how to master this critical skill, join my upcoming FREE mini-masterclass

Mastering Constructive Feedback:

Empowering Engineering Managers to Drive Impactful Growth

By the end of this FREE 60-min training, you'll learn how to:

? Stop Stressing Over It

Gain the confidence you need to understand their perspective and craft your message in a way that resonates with them

? Inspire Growth and Development

Provide actionable guidance in a way that engages, motivates, and inspires your engineers to WANT to take action and improve their performance

? Navigate Difficult Conversations

Learn how to overcome resistance and defensiveness so that you can foster open dialogue and influence them to openly receive your feedback

? Cultivate a Feedback-Driven Culture

Create an environment where your team embraces continuous learning and proactively seeks constructive feedback

CLICK HERE to learn more details about what’s included in this FREE training!

REGISTER NOW - I hope to see you there on Thursday, July 13th!

-Doug Howard PE

PS - If you’re an engineering leader who’s ready to drive impactful growth through constructive feedback, CLICK HERE to reserve your spot in the mini-masterclass!