Quitting your job? No sweet farewell
This upcoming trend has only reinforced a lurking fear - If you are quitting, do not expect farewells.
By Preiti Sharma Shahane & Urvashi Jha, TNN |
BANGALORE: When Infosys’ iconic chairman Narayana Murthy retired two weeks ago, he didn’t want a farewell party. “At an emotional level, I cannot accept that I am not part of Infosys anymore. I have done it in action. But I did not want to walk-out with a formal do,” Mr Murthy had told ET.
In doing so, the trend-setter has set yet another trend of corporate czars bidding goodbye to farewells. However, for the hordes of movers & shakers in India Inc who certainly wouldn’t mind a warm send-off, this upcoming trend has only reinforced a lurking fear — If you are quitting, do not expect farewells. Or so, if you are joining competition.
“A company’s tolerance level about its seniors leaving to join a competitor has certainly gone down,” says G Sankar, chief executive (Footwear), Reliance Retail. “The rapport with colleagues is not what it used to be and as soon as a person puts in his papers, he/she is seen as an outsider. As a result, there has also been a fall in employee expectation about formal send-offs,” he adds.
“Another reason for the change in company policies regarding farewells is falling employee tenures. So, while we wish that all our employees fare well, the constant churn in manpower has made it difficult to host farewell dinners for all,” says Ravi Prasad, president & CEO, Himalaya Drug Company (HDC).
But for those who spend as much as 20 to 30 years at Himalaya, formal send-offs are still the order of the day. “Many companies now clearly specify in the appointment letter itself that no farewells would be given to employees. The reason being that even if an employee quits, he/she is always welcomed if they intend to return. The custom of farewells is also growing out of fashion because employees cut short their notice period as they leave in great hurry,” says Priya Chetty, VP-Stanton Chase International.
In some instances, employees themselves get together to host farewell parties so it is becoming a more personal than professional practice. Though Murthy wanted no fare well, he is said to have received over 2,000 mails from employees wishing him well in his new life and of course, lots of bouquets in appreciation of all that he has done for them.
In doing so, the trend-setter has set yet another trend of corporate czars bidding goodbye to farewells. However, for the hordes of movers & shakers in India Inc who certainly wouldn’t mind a warm send-off, this upcoming trend has only reinforced a lurking fear — If you are quitting, do not expect farewells. Or so, if you are joining competition.
“A company’s tolerance level about its seniors leaving to join a competitor has certainly gone down,” says G Sankar, chief executive (Footwear), Reliance Retail. “The rapport with colleagues is not what it used to be and as soon as a person puts in his papers, he/she is seen as an outsider. As a result, there has also been a fall in employee expectation about formal send-offs,” he adds.
“Another reason for the change in company policies regarding farewells is falling employee tenures. So, while we wish that all our employees fare well, the constant churn in manpower has made it difficult to host farewell dinners for all,” says Ravi Prasad, president & CEO, Himalaya Drug Company (HDC).
But for those who spend as much as 20 to 30 years at Himalaya, formal send-offs are still the order of the day. “Many companies now clearly specify in the appointment letter itself that no farewells would be given to employees. The reason being that even if an employee quits, he/she is always welcomed if they intend to return. The custom of farewells is also growing out of fashion because employees cut short their notice period as they leave in great hurry,” says Priya Chetty, VP-Stanton Chase International.
In some instances, employees themselves get together to host farewell parties so it is becoming a more personal than professional practice. Though Murthy wanted no fare well, he is said to have received over 2,000 mails from employees wishing him well in his new life and of course, lots of bouquets in appreciation of all that he has done for them.
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Moving beyond the formality of send-offs, companies are even encouraging the formation of alumni unions for people to reconnect. Despite all efforts, one thing is for sure: the sepia-toned pictures and mementos your grandfather proudly displayed in the living room will be lost forever.
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