Not even thanked

[Chassisy]

A colleague left work today after 4 years. They were made redundant but the organisation created a new post and tweaked the old role as they have someone else they want to have do the job instead. It’s all corrupt.

I can’t believe this person’s manager and other colleague in their team never even sent an email to do a collection. People always email about a collection. I got this person a card and chatted to them before they left. Then as they were leaving their manager watched them say bye to everyone and did not even do a leaving speech to thank them for their work.

When they left, 2 other colleagues were whispering at how disgusted they were with no dignity of a thanks or a speech. I could tell when some people said bye to them it was fake. Why are people so heartless? This person was so nice and friendly to everyone.

Some people find redundancy uncomfortable - it has hints of letting people who were less effective/less popular go, they fear for their own jobs, they don't know what to say.

It's not the same as someone leaving with a new job to go to. You can't quite congratulate people on the new job so what do you say?

That’s really shit. I’d expect there to be at least something to acknowledge the work they’d put in over the years.

I was put on garden leave and told me all was confidential! They told my team lies about the reason I left! Glad I’ve gone but team said there were mixed messages and all handled really badly! Glad I’m out! Start a new job soon!

Are you sure this wasn't the person's choice? I've had colleagues leave without a speech/card etc but it's been when they've asked for that not to happen.

You were right. My colleague contacted me and said they didn’t want a leaving speech. I suppose people forget not everyone wants an audience when leaving.

I was made redundant as fallout from quite a political situation. I'd have cut my own leg off to avoid the send off you describe. In the end it nice. My recently redeployed team pitched up and sat around and made me laugh. A couple of people I'd previously managed came by. I sloped on off at lunchtime and that was that.