Do you tell your colleagues where you’re going after resignation?
Turnover rate has been on the rise especially during this difficult time. There are a lot of people out there looking for jobs. Maybe it’s because of the retrenchments in some companies, or maybe they’re looking for better pay to cope with the inflation, or better prospects….or maybe they just want a stable and more well-established company? The reasons for leaving vary.
But the main point here is, a LOT of people ARE changing jobs even when our guys at the stock market are crying and banging their heads against the wall (myself included, though i don’t work there). Fortunately for them, the job market is still not that bad even though the recession is approaching (or it’s already here).
Even in my current company, there are people who are leaving…….and as usual, once they announced they’re leaving, the next question from the existing colleagues would be “Where are you heading next?”
Maybe it’s due to curiosity or jealousy. I’m not sure, but that’s the typical question I’ve been asked when I tendered my resignation in my previous company.
For me, I wouldn’t mind to tell them where I’m going or which position I’m going to work as in the new company. I don’t even mind to tell them where’s my office is – maybe hoping that they’ll drop by and find me for lunch. Hahha. In my opinion, people will find out sooner or later irregardless of how much you want to protect this little secret of yours. And since I have nothing to hide, I don’t really see any harm in telling them. It’s not like I’m escaping from them after doing something wrong.
But it backfired. Some of them, somehow, was not pleased when I told them I’m joining this n this company. Few of them claimed that I got cocky. =_= Some asked me about my new pay and I said it’s higher than my current (DUH). And well…things became worse. But those were the opinions of few rare individuals.
Maybe i shouldn’t have told people where I’m going after all? I know there are some people who, even if you beat them up, would not tell you where they’re heading.
But man….our IT industry in Malaysia is not THATTTT big you know? And some people even updated their Facebook about their new company name……but refused to inform the current colleagues about the destination. Weirdos.
What about you? Do you think it’s harmless to tell them? Or do you prefer to keep it as a secret? If yes, then why?
It shouldn’t even be an issue i guess. I even told my bosses during our discussion of my resignation and told them which company i’ll be heading to.
The good part bout this is, you will find out who are the hypocrites around you. lol
i always go out with my ex-colleagues for lunch… we know each other and where we are working… i’ll miss my lunch buddy next week onwards… don’t know what to eat for lunch next week… African food … hehehe :-p
Dude, if given opportunity… would u go to country in Africa? hehehe :-p
@ Lays
There are some people who are not that professional. But i believe most ppl are OK even if we told them where we’re going n stuff. Some even asked me to recommend them in. hahah.
Hmm, yea, you’ll get to know who are the hypocrites and those kiasu fella.
@ TZ
I still keep in touch with some of my ex colleagues – the better ones though i hardly find them for lunch anymore since they’re in PJ and i’m in klcc. haha.
Africa? Don think so. My SA friend told me it’s very very dangerous there even for south africans. And SA is supposed to be the “safest” among the african countries. So which part of africa are u going?
Oh, i’m not scaring u about the dangerous part.
I can think of a couple of reasons why some won’t tell where theyre going. One is if there is an exit clause in your employment contract prohibits you from joining the new company. Even if its not a direct competitor, you can get into an unnecessary war of interpretation.
Two, you may not have a bone to pick with the co. you’re leaving but do your ex-colleagues have a bone to pick with you? The IT / consulting circle is small and with IM anything goes. I’ve come across people who, if for nothing else but jealousy and revenge, try to rattle others by poisoning the place they’re going. Its sick.
So I think its perfectly normal to keep mum until you are safe at your new place. You can still call up your friends and have lunch after the fact.
Damien Tans last blog post..Do you have this in your Employment Contract? Part 1
I think it’s ok to tell them about it. People talk, they’ll do so regardless of the info you give them. If they feel happy for you, good, if not you’re leaving anyway.
Hello, first time visiting your blog.
@ Damien
actually what you said is quite true. some people are really idiots. they will just try to mess things up for u in the new company by spreading rumours about u. and considering the fact that the people at the new company don’t know u yet….spreading the rumours certainly won’t do u any good.
@ cc
if u r nice, and those people are not the jealousy type…then it’s fine. believe it or not, my company used to have a pervert staff…..and until now, most colleagues of mine (esp the gals) keep track of his whereabouts no matter where he goes. hahaha.
It depends on how “important” you are to those people.
Can’t make everyone happy, or satisfy all the weirdos’ strange desire.
I guess I’m lucky because I haven’t encountered such jealousy-driven people before! My own reason for not revealing is because of the possibility that your boss may sabotage your reputation by speaking to your new boss if he/she knew who your new boss is. I’m not worried about my immediate boss(es), who are good people, but the bosses running the HR department. I’ve known some that are pretty nutty. Which is really ironic… an evil, heartless person running a department called of all things, the Human Resources department.
@ d_luaz
Maybe that’s why it’s better to NOT reveal the secret first?
@ The Big Movie Freak
Hmm, so far, all my ex-bosses are pretty good people. But I do know of those ppl who always like to sabotage people. Maybe they’re too free and have nothing better to do.