I recently left a company I worked at for 5 years. I was considered “Senior Management” and made significant contributions to the business over my tenure – winning accounts, building strong relationships, fostering company culture, recruiting strong talent, blah blah blah. I reported directly to the President (highest in our office/country) and had pretty high level responsibilities that included direct client contact and hands on activation of programs that were worth millions.
My departure created absolute panic. They didn't see it coming and they certainly weren't prepared. The company operates on the razor's edge when it comes to personnel. There's no recruiting, no talent pipeline and HR focuses on “feel good” internal programs rather than making sure employees feel supported and helped (yes, I know HR are the enemy).
I provided 2 weeks notice and my departure was a disaster. They didn't tell my staff (other than those I leaked it to for their own benefit) until the day before my last day. They didn't tell the others teams I worked with until my actual last day. Other than an “out of office” notice some people might get, there are still clients who haven't been told directly.
5 years as a high level performer and there wasn't a decent goodbye, no recognition, no thank you. Barely a mention of “thanks for having a great reputation that floated this POS for years”. I don't need a parade on the way out but, despite the panic and worry, it's been “makattack98 who?”.
Overall, I knew the place was mostly toxic and I left to chase a dream career. I'll miss the money and some of the people but seeing how things were handled reinforces my decision and every negative thing I thought about this company (or any for that matter).
What's the point of this story?
- You are replaceable; in the end, contributions don't count for anything if you don't work there anymore AKA loyalty only goes one way when you work for a corporation
- Your leaders will only ever worry care about themselves and the business
- HR do not serve you, they serve the business
- Sometimes it's much worse to leave too late than it is to leave too early
- TRULY VALUE YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU CAN DO/WHO YOU ARE BECASUE THEY WON'T