Last day of work and nobody even acknowledged it

[mulberry19]

I had my last day at work (I work from home currently but usually am based in office) before my maternity leave and spent the day organising my work to handover etc. I had a meeting scheduled for 16:30 on teams but when I dialled in I was the only one there and my managers all but one were offline. This isn't too unusual but thought as it was my last day someone would be there. I waited for a bit but eventually logged off assuming they were busy. I sent my 'goodbye' email and prepared some work, list and instructions and spreadsheets to be done for work that was ongoing. I also mentioned that for the next 2 weeks I would be checking my work phone and emails in case any customers tried to contact me. I hadn't been asked to do this but wanted to be helpful. It's now been 3 days and I haven't received so much as a reply to my email or a text saying thank you, good luck etc. The only communication was an email saying my scheduled meetings had been cancelled by my Boss. This has really hurt my feelings as I've been in my current job for 15 years and worked with these current managers for 13 of those. We've always had an excellent working relationship and I know I am well thought of. Am I being silly to expect anything? Most people I know get cards/flowers/gifts and I didn't even get an email. I'm so tempted to say something but don't know if it's a waste of my energy but it's left a really sour taste in my mouth. This is my first baby and my team are all aware that I've had fertility issues and previous miscarriages so it really does seem heartless to me and makes me not want to go back. What would you do?

It’s a lesson that whilst you may have good relationships with colleagues, it’s only very rarely that they turn out to be true friends and that ultimately the relationship will always be a professional and transactional one first and foremost. I’m now 41 and I have been working since I was 16 (part time whilst at college and Uni) and then full time after and can honestly say in that entire time I have only become true friends with 3 people. A few others that for a period of time I would socialise with outside of work and got on well with, but those connections haven’t lasted and I don’t miss those people.

I have been made redundant twice in my career - once after 17 years at a company and once after 4. In both cases, I didn’t want a big fuss so never organised a leaving do, but it was interesting to see who took the time to reach out and wish me well.

At the latest company (left April this year) three of my peers in the leadership team didn’t bother to say goodbye or wish me well and my manager didn’t even sign my leaving card. On the flip side, my direct reports organised their own gift and card which was really lovely and have reached out a few tImes since to see how I’m doing and get updates on my job hunt.

Try not to let this spoil what will be an exciting and amazing time for you with the new baby on its way and enjoy your maternity leave! Also take this as an opportunity to reassess how much effort you are putting in - if you’re off then you shouldn’t be available for customer calls. Clearly it isn’t valued and appreciated by your managers, so stop going the extra mile if it isn’t recognised.

Precisely why people shouldn’t be married to their work tbh. Sorry you have been made to feel this way OP.

Really shocked by pp’s responses- I’d be gutted too op. I don’t think you can write it off as a consequence of working from home. We send an e-card for birthdays and flowers on big occasions - leaving, moving house, big birthdays etc. Always do a final teams meeting when someone leaves and everyone dials in, with the most senior person or the LM saying a few words. What happened to you would make me not want to go back too. My immediate team are all female so wonder if that makes a difference?