by Kelsey Alpaio, Senior Associate Editor
“I just put in my two weeks!”
Every time I hear this phrase from a coworker, I’m immediately filled with so many emotions:
- Happiness: It’s exciting to see someone I’ve worked closely with find new opportunities and grow in their career.
- Sadness: At the same time, I’m bummed I won’t get to work with them anymore.
- Worry: What if this means we’ll grow apart as friends and not see each other as much?
- Dread: Who is going to take on all of their work until we hire a replacement?
- Envy: Maybe I should start looking for jobs too…
A study from January 2023 found that almost 70% of Gen Z and millennial employees in the U.S. planned to leave their jobs this year. So odds are, you’ve also had to deal with a coworker, boss, or direct report leaving your company in the last few months. If these conflicting emotions sound familiar, here’s my advice on how to deal with each one:
- Happiness: This one’s easy—share your joy with your coworker! Tell them you can’t wait to see all of the amazing things they’ll achieve in their new role, and express how lucky their future coworkers are.
- Sadness: Don’t make your coworker feel guilty for leaving, but it’s okay to let them know that the situation is bittersweet. Share something about their work or personality that you’ll miss.
- Worry: If you also considered this coworker one of your work friends, it’s natural to worry about what this transition will mean for your relationship. Make plans to celebrate their new role outside of work by grabbing dinner or coffee together. This will bridge the gap and help you continue your friendship outside of the office.
- Dread: It can take a long time to rehire for a role, and your organization may even decide not to fill the vacant position. If the coworker was on your team, you'll likely be asked to take on some of the work they leave behind. To avoid burnout, be strategic about the tasks you inherit, and make sure they align with your goals.
- Envy: It’s easy to feel jealous of your coworker’s career progression or fancy new role. But envy isn’t a good reason to quit your job. Staying might actually be the best option for you and your career growth—especially if you can leverage their absence into a promotion.
It’s okay to have mixed emotions when a coworker leaves, and it might take some time for you to adjust to their absence. Our authors have even more advice to help you navigate this transition.
Be strategic about the work you take on when a coworker leaves.
Maintaining your friendship will take consistency, vulnerability, and positivity.
When your direct report leaves, focus on supporting and retaining those who have stayed.
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Director, Facilities Station Maintenance Operations & Support | Author | Of the employee, By the employee, For the employee
1 年When that one bright spot in an otherwise chaotic environment leaves, it can be devastating. I've experienced this a few times over the past two decades.