Now that we’re all still mostly remote, what is the most proper way to say goodbye to teammates? I still want to be professional and keep my dignity, even if I’ll probably feel ashamed when it happens. Do I send out a mass email and BCC people? What do I say? Probably best to draft it now while I’m not flooded with emotions.
Please don’t be a jerk. Seeking real advice here.
I was laid off in September 2019 by Schwab. My team was pulled into a big meeting room and told they were shutting down our location. We were not allowed to unlock our computers afterwards. No chance to say goodbye to any of my favorite colleagues that I worked with across locations. I was pretty upset by that. So if you want to play it safe maybe send that email first thing in the morning BCC'd to all of your work pals, just in case. Otherwise you might have to send something through LinkedIn or some other social media if you haven't already shared personal emails/cell #s etc with them.
Once you are notified your system access will be revoked within 5-10 minutes at most. Best to predraft an email and be ready to hit send, if your mental state is in a space to remember.
Write an email to coworkers but keep it short and sweet. Provide contact info like personal email, cell phone number, etc. Those who wants to keep in touch will. If there are coworkers you are really close with go out and have a beer with them. That’s what my ex-manager did.
Other than leaving some flaming dog p-o on some doorsteps, I’m out of answers.
If you pick too wide a distro you can't write a personal good bye, you have to go generic(may be even use chat gpt or similar).
If you pick small distro (folks you work/worked with closely) you can write specifics about what you enjoyed and appreciated.
You can even write multiple, one for your group vs your team.
In the past layoffs, I have seen impacted staff send out BCC to what are probably lists of large distro lists. They usually keep it short and say something like if you want to keep in touch here is my linkedin and personal email. Personally I think that works well. Those that want to keep in touch will reach out. They also add something like sorry if you dont know me… which is how I know it was blasted out to large lists.
It’s best to have personal contact information before. Send direct messages asking now for those you want to stay in touch with.
LinkedIn works fine after the fact.
You absolutely should not feel shame or any other negative emotions towards yourself. You aren’t being fired for cause. You are being let go, likely, based on the process, as a result of people who don’t know you for cost savings that would have been unnecessary with better management.
I honestly don’t know what to say that hasn’t already been said. I’ll probably just quietly disappear except texting some folks I was closer to.
Send your last working day email praising Schwab for the opportunity and thank your team and share your LinkedIn
Layoffs on Halloween day with a head named Wurst. The memes write themselves.
Wurst is the worst.
c’mon we can all use sone levity, mmmkay?
In the past, they send out an all clear email and org chart after. When Wurst was head of WAS, he sent out a 20-some-odd PDF org chart after the September, 2019, layoffs.
That one was a lot of missteps, too. Layoffs got leaked to WSJ before officially announced, so Schwab had to send an email out to all staff explaining. SMH.
how will we know who gets laid off? if it happens monday, do we just keep meetings as usual even if teammates are disappearing? how would we work on a day like that? or do all meetings get cancelled?
In the past, an email was nice to those who remained from a closure perspective. But it is up to you if you’re impacted. Those close to you will reach out via LinkedIn even if you don’t send an email with personal contact info.