When preparing for a move, it’s important to notify your employer that you will be leaving your current position.
However, less consideration is often given to your peers at work.
How do you tell your co-workers that you will be leaving?
Read on for some helpful tips on how to gracefully notify your employee and co-workers of your resignation and maintain important professional contacts.
Tell Your Employer First
Before you divulge the information to your co-workers, be sure you have already given your boss your required notice.
It is disrespectful for your employer to hear about your departure through the grapevine before you have given your official resignation.
Once you have had the appropriate conversation with your boss and the human resources department, feel free to inform your co-workers of your move.
Talk to Your Co-Workers Off the Clock
You shouldn't use company time to have a conversation about your move or your new job.
These are personal matters that should be discussed on your own time.
Wait to share your news until your lunch hour or the end of the day.
If you have personal relationships with your co-workers, talking about it outside of the office, over dinner or drinks perhaps, is optimal.
Talk to Co-Workers in Person
While you may be tempted to send out a mass e-mail informing your co-workers you are leaving, it is very impersonal.
Those with whom you have worked closely should be told about your move with a personal, face-to-face conversation.
For those you have not worked with on many projects or have little contact with, a personalized email may suffice - but do so on your own time, rather than from your desk using the company email.
Be Professional
While you may be excited for your upcoming endeavors, resist the urge to boast and brag when sharing the news.
Disgruntled co-workers and those with whom you had poor relations with may be jealous or even callous about your move - but don't let their bitterness influence your professionalism.
Additionally, no matter how strained your relationship with your boss or any co-workers may be, refrain from any negative talk about the workplace.
Just because you are moving, does not mean you will never cross paths with your current co-workers in your professional future.
Keep Details to Minimum
While you may be bursting to share the specifics of your new position, your responsibilities, and your increased salary, it is best to keep details restrained.
It could be seen as unprofessional or inappropriate to discuss certain specifics about your new job, especially while in the office.
Save any detailed information for your closest friends at work, if any - and keep it off the clock.
Don't Leave Unfinished Work
You may not be able to complete all of your projects before your last day, but doing your best to bring everything up-to-date is considerate of your replacement.
You may even opt to designate unfinished work to others in your department; prepare a report with helpful information on current projects, contacts and tips for your replacement; and even offer to train your replacement if possible.
This will all make life much easier for the co-workers you're leaving behind.
Get Contact Information
Whether you have made many great friends in your office or not, gathering contact information can be useful.
Even if you do not wish to pursue personal friendships, keeping in touch with co-workers could be helpful with your career and networking.
Before your last day, be sure to connect on Facebook and trade phone numbers with co-workers you'd like to remain close with on a personal level.
For those with whom you'd like to retain professional connections, sharing email addresses and Linked In profiles will be useful.
Takeaway
- Tell your employer before informing co-workers
- Share the news in person and on your own time
- Stay professional and avoid oversharing
- Leave your work organized and up to date
Note
Telling your co-workers you are leaving should be handled with care and professionalism.
Thoughtful communication, respect for company time, and maintaining positive relationships can help ensure a smooth transition and preserve valuable connections for the future.
Bottom Line
If you need help before, during, or after your move, our moving specialists are here for you. Talk now – we are available.
You can also request a free moving quote and compare the quote with movers in your location.
For more tips and step-by-step guidance, explore our detailed moving guides.