How to Throw a Goodbye Party for Your Employees
It’s always sad when a good employee leaves your company. While you might be overwhelmed by the shoes you have to fill, you should always express excitement for your employee’s new opportunity and gratitude for the time you had to work alongside them; and what better way to do this than with a party?
Follow the tips below to throw a party that shows your employees you value them from the first time they walk through your doors to the last.
Involve the employees who worked closest with them.
While corporate should treat each employee equally when they choose to leave, upper level management may not know what each employee likes, so a farewell party may feel impersonal and insincere without the personal touch of those your employee is closest to.
Share memories and reminisce.
Kind parting words should be said about the employee. You can open up the floor so everybody can share something that the employee contributed during their time with the company or just talk about how nice they were to work with. If you feel the employee would be embarrassed by being complimented publicly, you should at least share some kind words with them one-on-one.
Consider gift giving, but with reservations.
A gift from corporate, especially cash or gift cards, could be subject to taxation. Instead, consider collecting donations and pitching in to buy a gift from the whole office. This is not a necessary gesture, of course. If you do decide to do this, however, be sure to be consistent with other employees when they leave.
Avoid surprises.
Employees typically spend their last days preparing to pass their duties on; they are often in lots of meetings or are busy training their replacement. A surprise party could keep them from doing things that need to be done for a smooth transition, so opt to converse with your employee about what works best for them and schedule accordingly.
Giving your employees a proper sendoff is a good way that leaves fond memories for them as they go on to other pursuits. Learn how you can show appreciation to your departing employees.