My last day today and nobody acknowledged it

[Iamsohungryy]

I left the company after 1 year (6 months in 1 team, then 6 months on promotion in the second team')
It's really shown me how the office environment can make or break a role. Team 1 was absolutely fine, I had a couple of friends, manager was great, job was fine, I just applied for promotion to team 2 as it was a 5k payrise.

Should say on team 1 I joined with 5 others and that really helped bonding and settling in. Team 2..put in alone with people who'd all been there years and all very extroverted/loved banter. Nobody was nasty but I very quickly got the frequent 'quiet' comments and label. I did make conversation and try, went to the team lunches twice but just always felt on the outside. No friends on that team, nobody to talk to.

Gave my notice in 1 month ago as I got onto a course in an area I'm trying to progress into. Manager announced to the team of 12 in an online meeting I was leaving. One woman (the only genuine one) said 'have you got a new job?) I was told I could wfh for the rest of my notice except for once a week. Nobody asked me what job I was going onto. They knew when my last day was. Nobody said a word to me.

Did handover with manager, gave them my laptop etc. He said good luck and all the best. The woman in my team didn't even look up from her laptop. I just walked out and quit the group whatsapp.

Nobody's said good luck. Not a word. I'm not expecting a red carpet, 6 months is only short but it's basic human decency.

I left a job after 6 months 2 years ago (it was a fixed term role) and I got a card, collection and leaving drinks. It just depends on the culture, I've just never known anything like this. Have I expected too much?

We'll agree to differ then?

You come across really blunt and rude to me 🤷‍♀️. I don't see any reason to say they were probably glad to see her going, and I presume if you were talking to her in person or in front of others you wouldnt say it. I dont know,maybe you would?!

A brief conversation at least, wish them well. I had an unpleasant job for a few months about 30 years ago. When I left I was not ignored.

It's really not you, it's them.

Best of luck with your next role.

I left a teaching job after five years and got nothing from the staff, not even a card on my last day. However, a friendly colleague said she’d pay for us to share a taxi to the station rather than walking the usual mile into town, which was a nice gesture. I was a bit disappointed as I’d recently organised another colleague’s whip round, card and leaving meal but then she’d made a big deal about it whereas I just kept quiet and assumed someone would do the same for me so I only have myself to blame. What I learnt is if you want something to happen it’s no good just hoping, you have to make it happen yourself.

So you didn't say good bye or anything but expected them to to acknowledge you?

Yeah it's bad manners to not even look up and say good luck, but it reflects on them not you.

Good luck with your course - onwards and upwards!

As you’ve found out, OP, a lot of people DON’T have much basic human decency and really don’t care.

I make extra effort at work to speak to anyone who is struggling or might not be so sociable. Having someone ask how you are can really make a big difference to your day and increase your confidence levels.

I find the unfriendly ‘attitude’ that so many people have these days is yet another reason why this country is turning into a heap of shite!

I’d have said goodbye to you.

That was mean and rude of them OP. Ah well you're better off out of there.

I think it depends on the manager.

I'm civil service and a lovely older lady was the manager. Everyone got thanks, happy birthdays, happy retirements etc and a fuss made but then she stepped down as she was only a temporary manager.

The new one was a man in his 20s and the whole culture changed. He couldn't be bothered. A few people tried to keep it going but the new manager and his cronies were so dismissive it filtered down and noone was interested any more.

Have you already finished then?

It does sound like they are reflecting on your own style.

Good luck with your next stage anyway.

I left after nearly 7 years .. nothing, not even a card. Some companies are disgraceful.

Think 6 months is a bit short to be honest. I worked somewhere for 2 years, it was a small team of 20 and I got nothing, not even a good luck! I left as I felt bad vibes there and it made me feel stressed all of the time, but nothing had ever happened to me. I got another job with super lovely people and stayed there for 8 years. I think you are moving onto better pastures. Good luck 💐

Good luck for your exciting new endeavours!

I would have expected atleast a good luck message and general chit chat about the new job opportunity. Its called being a grown up and not a teenager. Don't give it another thought, good luck!

Did you say anything to them on your last day? Hey guys, as you know it's my last day, good working with you or anything along those lines?

Some people might say that's basic manners considering you're leaving 🤷‍♀️

It is rude not to acknowledge it or say something polite. Basic social skills. Our resident drs leave every six months and we have a lunch in the office, cards and a small gift. Nothing OTT but it’s the right thing to do.

Similar story here, after 6.5 years in a job I got nothing from the company whatsoever. Leaving do was cancelled, someone said they'd rearrange it and didn't, no collection, nada. I was low in confidence already and it really fucking hurt my feelings at the time.

I had a job and I left after around 3 years for maternity leave but I was fully leaving (they were aware) in the department I worked in I did work separately from the rest of the staff but still I got on with them all and there was a team in the same role as I was in. Nothing when I left, not even a good bye/good luck. Made me feel crap as I worked hard, got on with people and always did over time and helped when I can (it was in a hospital so I understand that it can be hard there)

I think a lot of these official ‘goodbyes’ rely on one or two members of staff (usually women) who are thoughtful and organised and sort out something small informally as a colleague leaves. If there is nobody so inclined on the team, nothing gets done unless there is a proactive manager. This doesn’t sound like a very happy team really.

Public sector (4 years out of 31 working) is was a very different culture.. some genuinely lovely people but mostly much colder, rules based and forced culture focused.. the process seemed more important than the outcome and as such people became less engaged (or those who stayed had the ability to). Maybe it was just that.

It's a poor show OP really sad that they couldn't even give you a goodbye and good luck.

Chalk this one up to experience and be mindful of office dynamics in your new role - sounds like it can't be any worse!

Anyway sod them rude twats. All us Mumsnetters wish you all the best in your next job.

X

I'm CS and in my department it's down to the line manager to organise leaving card/gift, to announce it at the team meeting when you know you're leaving and then do the farewell at your final team meeting.

I'm sorry no one acknowledged you going, that is sad! I would say though if you're in a busy department where there is quite regular turnover, sometimes the people staying get a bit of "farewell fatigue!". Also, it's school holidays - I find everyone is on leave or very lethargic until parliament is back from recess! Maybe you've been a victim of the lethargy.

I did 3 periods of interim work over a 3 year period for an organisation that I'd worked for before, basically filling in for a quite senior role. Because I'd done the role before I needed remarkably little training or support. At the end of my final interim period I was asked to come to the office by the new CEO (I was mostly working from home) so expected a teeny bit of a fuss. He made a short speech and presented me with a small box of Lindt d'Or. I don't think I'll be rushing back next time they need cover!

That's sad and I can see why you are upset. Console yourself with how great your course will be.

I wouldn’t over think it.
Office culture is very different in wfh era. We very rarely do collections as it’s impossible logistically.
Leaving after only 6 months people may have assumed you’ve failed probation etc.
Your boss told them on team meeting. I don’t think it’s appropriate to ask where going etc on full team meeting some people would hate that. Or could be really awkward if you’d been let go.
Manager sounds like dealt with it decently and wished you well.
Woman in office could have looked up and said nice working with you or something bland but if you’ve not interacted much it would feel false or she could just have been working and not noticed.