How to Deal With the Resignation of a Coworker

How to Deal With the Resignation of a Coworker

A recent Bayt.com poll about good working conditions in the Middle East cited that positive relationships with colleagues is one of the main constituents of good work settings. And while your morale might slip briefly, bear in mind your performance and productivity must remain intact!! In fact, there is no room for drama in the entire scenario and as one colleague departs, bear in mind that another one will make an entrance, new working relationships will be born and nurtured and your life at the office will soon again retain its equilibrium. The career experts at Bayt.com offer you a few tips to better handle the inevitable occasional partings of coworkers:

- Stay objective: Come to terms with the fact that your colleague no longer finds themselves in the right place and that their priorities have changed, hopefully for the better. Do not allow for any feelings of hostility or negativity to settle in; instead focus on the positive. You’ve had a fruitful professional relationship and now is the time for both of you to find a new equilibrium.

- Focus on the deliverables: Do the two of you have projects in common? Do you share common job responsibilities? Remember that this is probably a stressful time for your colleague too and be considerate. A helping hand would probably be much appreciated at this stage so aim to be an active facilitator during the handover process bearing in mind this will also make your role much easier after your colleague departs.

- Assist your management if needed: Employee resignations are often hard for management to cope with as well. The entire process from targeting to selecting your colleague’s replacement might be draining (depending on how senior/ specialized the position is). This is a good time for you to step in and offer to take over some of the responsibilities you are familiar with until the replacement arrives (assuming your workflow allows for it). This will reinforce you as a reliable and committed employee and will play to your advantage in future promotions.

- Expand your interoffice network: This will make the transition process much smoother for you especially if there are other coworkers in your office that you usually don’t much interact with. You’d be surprised with the positive effect that new minds, energies and faces could have on your performance and morale. Give yourself leeway to start interacting with other colleagues and build new professional relationships.

- Maintain contact: Positive and supportive coworkers are keepers even after they move on with their lives. Exchange personal contact details and aim to share regular updates. The fact that your colleague is leaving work does not necessarily mean you should shut them out from your personal life. Instead keep on building your healthy relationship under slightly different circumstances.

Mohannad Aljawamis
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