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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No one aknowledging last day at work after 15 years?

51 replies

Babyroobs · 07/04/2018 21:47

Yesterday was my last shift at work after 15 years of being there. No -one seemed to know it was my last day ( although bosses obviously knew as I handed my notice in 4 weeks ago. ).
AIBU to be upset that no-one had even bothered to get a card/ bunch of flowers / cake ? Half way through the day, the person in charge said I should come back in a couple of weeks for a send off/ tea. AIBU to think they should of got organised for the day I left ? I'm unlikely to go back , I have a new job and a busy life.

OP posts:
EweDoEwe · 07/04/2018 21:51

Did you tell your colleagues you were leaving, and when?

annandale · 07/04/2018 21:53

Sounds like heaven! Sorry, I absolutely hate work goodbyes. YANBU to be upset that nobody even sorted a card out but sounds like you've made the right decision to leave.

I went back to work after two months off last week. I had a fantasy that I'd be overwhelmed by people rushing up to greet me. My immediate team of 3 were really welcoming, otherwise one person gave me a nice greeting showing they'd noticed I hadn't been there Grin Work is like a stream, it just flows on.

Awrite · 07/04/2018 21:53

Yes, that is shit.

Shows you did the right thing in leaving. Think no more of them.

Believeitornot · 07/04/2018 21:53

No one will know unless you tell them, aside from your bosses.

When I was leaving my last job of 14 years, I sent an email out to invite everyone for leaving drinks. So that’s how people found out generally.

SouthernComforts · 07/04/2018 21:55

That is shit. Your manager/somebody should have organised a card etc. Did you tell colleagues you were leaving?

ScreamingValenta · 07/04/2018 21:56

YANBU. After 15 years a card and some sort of gift, even if just a token, would be appropriate.

Thistlebelle · 07/04/2018 21:57

Had you not mentioned it to your colleagues? IME it’s peers rather than managenent who organise goodbyes.

It’s hard though, sorry it wasn’t a good last day.

Original poster
Babyroobs · 07/04/2018 21:58

I'm sure I will get a card and gift but in a few weeks time, think I'm just annoyed at having to go back after being so desperate to leave !

OP posts:
RedForFilth · 07/04/2018 21:58

I can see why you would feel upset. But I wouldn't expect more than a verbal goodbye/good luck! Other people also have busy lives and there's so much stuff going on in workplaces now it's hard to keep track. Many people don't engage in any sort of work gifts/get togethers now because it becomes a never ending cycle!
Enjoy your new job!

Mammalamb · 07/04/2018 21:58

After 13 years my team never got me a card or gift (we were all in different locations, in the conf call before I left my boss said he would post a gift to my home; never arrived). But thankfully other folk in the location I worked in did get me a lovely gift xx

GreenEyedGoose · 07/04/2018 21:59

It is shit OP but in my experience companies feel as though resignations will affect morale.

It's ridiculous but they like to keep it to themselves.

It's shit for you, after 15 years you definitely deserve Flowers

HolyMountain · 07/04/2018 22:02

I think it’s pretty poor that no one took responsibility to buy a card and a bunch of flowers.

If not bother going back in a few weeks either.

HolyMountain · 07/04/2018 22:04

*I’d

Original poster
Babyroobs · 07/04/2018 22:04

Thanks Holy - I doubt I will go back in, I don't really like good byes anyway, but would have just been nice to get a card on my last day.

OP posts:
ForalltheSaints · 07/04/2018 22:05

I think no card is poor to be honest. Think no more of them and I hope your new job goes well. It is a change to move to a new one after 15 years.

EweDoEwe · 07/04/2018 22:06

You haven’t answered those of us that asked - did you tell any of your colleagues you were leaving?

snowagain · 07/04/2018 22:08

Did any of your colleagues know you were leaving @babyroobs ?

Original poster
Babyroobs · 07/04/2018 22:08

Sorry Ewe- yes my team leader knew and some of my colleagues not all of them as it's the kind of place you can go a few weeks without working the same shift as someone else.

OP posts:
Shizzlestix · 07/04/2018 22:13

Bit odd. My last job, we made a big deal, there was a £10 annual donation then leavers got a gift based on how long they’d been there. There were always well-thought out speeches, separate gifts from the particular department. The big boss did my leaving speech, lots of research etc.

In my current job, people leaving last year weren’t even fucking mentioned! It was crazy! So shit. One guy who’d been there a number of years was left a bottle of wine with a label on it. They’d spelt his name incorrectly. In a way, I’m glad there will be no speech for me, as I’m leaving this year and I need to stay away from the event or I will say something I regret.

Original poster
Babyroobs · 07/04/2018 22:16

Shizzlestix- That's awful. I guess different places just deal with things differently but when someone has been in a workplace ages it's hard.

OP posts:
Duck90 · 07/04/2018 22:22

You said you were desperate to leave. Just wondering if your colleagues had been seeing you as a bit if a negative person in the work place? I don’t know, just picking up from your second post. Still a bit shit though. Good luck in your next job.

Original poster
Babyroobs · 07/04/2018 22:25

Thanks Duck - I don't feel I've been negative in any way, I hope I didn't let it show anyway !

OP posts:
NotTerfNorCis · 07/04/2018 22:27

It used to wind me up how when ordinary staff left at my place, they'd be lucky to get a card, but when a high-up manager who we barely knew left, there had to be a night out, gifts, flowers, speeches etc.

Ariela · 07/04/2018 22:28

I think it all depends on the sort of place and people you work with. I once was one of the longest serving people there, and had contributed to everyone#s leaving do, birthday do, wedding, babies you name it. And having been there a while I new everyone and told everyone the day I was leaving. So it was a surprise to discover I was just a cash cow. Three people stuck their head in to say goodbye, and that was it. I obviously wasn't a popular or liked person.

5BlueHydrangea · 07/04/2018 22:30

I had similar when I went on maternity leave. Had been in the job 6 years. On my last day my office partner had been on call the night before so went home in the morning to sleep so I had loads of work to sort. The person on call for the weekend was a right cow to me and I finished my day very late only to get home to a call from my manager saying the on call person had complained about me! For no good reason I add.. No goodbye and good luck or anything. Well, actually the on call person after moaning at me for 10 minutes ended the call with 'oh, good luck with the baby' and that was it. Felt cross about it for ages! Well actually I still do several years on, and even made sure I went back to a different team post maternity leave because of it.
Sorry, clearly needed that rant! I empathise with your situation.