Leave in style, not in disgrace! 6 things you should religiously avoid on your last day at work

Treat your last day at the job like any other work day.

By ET Online | Updated: Nov 09, 2022, 04.50 PM IST

Don't do anything on your last day, that you wouldn't do on a normal work day. Professionalism will never be out of style.

So the D-day has come at last. It is your last day at work. Your emotions are probably going haywire at the moment. There is excitement for your new job and a (not so subtle) feeling of relief at leaving your former workplace.

But whatever your feelings towards your former workplace and team may be, it is always advisable to be on your best behavior on your last day at the workplace.

If you leave on a sour note, leaving behind a disgruntled boss and irritated co-workers, this will inevitably lead to bad references, permanent blocks on Linkedin, denied requests for a favour, and a lot more. In your haste to leave, don’t jeopardise the goodwill you have built for yourself through your tenure.

Last Day At Work, Not Your Last Chance To ‘Settle Scores’

Yes, you can’t wait to bid goodbye to this office that you feel had clipped your ‘creative wings’ and clapped you in corporate irons. Today you are a ‘free bird’ that has been liberated from the shackles of routine, being made to feel like a mindless overworked drone or whatever… many of us have been there, believe me.

But we would also advise you not to be carried away and break the professional protocol on your last day. Remember the last day at the current workplace is still a part of your service record. You don’t want to have a red flag in an otherwise impeccable service record, do you? Thought so.

This is not a day to ‘get even’ with that co-worker you couldn’t stand. Be distant but cordial. This is not high school!
Don’t badmouth your boss or your team members either on your last day or on social media. This is plain adulting 101. Swallow your venom and save the impassioned rants for your close friends.
Criticising your former colleagues will not gain you any favours with your new employers. Moreover, the world is a small place. The person you dedicate a public diss track against may turn out to be your new boss’s old associate or friend and that little moment of indiscretion can cost you dearly later on. So keep your thoughts to yourself. To quote a certain Disney queen “Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know…”

Leaving Your (Former) Team High & Dry

Before you pack up for the day, ensure that your team has complete knowledge of all the vital information such as project deadlines, passwords, file names, and their location.

You will also be expected to help in the training process of new team members and keep them up-to-date so that they may pick up where you left off.
Don’t make your ex-team member call you after three weeks asking for a password. In plain words, don’t make things difficult for your ex-co-workers in your hurry to leave.

Not Giving Sufficient Notice

You may not be legally required to serve the notice period, but not doing so can spell doom for your career.

When a new company does its due diligence, the hiring team will inevitably call up your former workplace, you wouldn't want them knowing that you shirked off serving the notice period would you?
You should know what the standard notice period is for your company. If there are none, ask what the last employee at your level did.

Slacking Off At Work

If you have given your 100% on your work to date, why do the opposite on the last day?

The last day at work does not mean you ignore your pending projects and spend time watching cat videos or networking with your new co-workers on Linkedin.
Needless to say, don’t try to steal office supplies ‘coz no one would ever know’. Treat it just like any other work day.

Not Thanking Your Boss

The boss who has promoted you twice? The reporting manager who went out of their way to show you the ropes or left those glowing Linkedin endorsements? (which have played their role in helping you bag your dream gig, admit it)

Don’t forget to write them a nice thank-you note before you leave. If you can’t find the time to write a handwritten note, write a heartfelt Linkedin post and tag your former managers. Thank them for helping you learn. A little gratitude goes a long way.

Making A Mess Of Your Workspace

The new recruit should not be greeted with a desk full of your souvenirs. Before you pack up for the (last) day, make sure the table is spic and span. No pen marks, coffee/tea stains, or coffee mugs should linger. Leave the desk as spotless and impersonal as you found it on the first day. Ensure your desktop is also clean. Get rid of #999 cat/puppy desktop wallpaper.

No matter which stage of your career you are currently in, try not to burn bridges on your way out. Professionalism always counts… even today.

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