Share what you know with millions of people
Focus is the best place to turn what you know into remarkable content
0
What's the worst way a person you've worked with announced that they were leaving the business?
Carol Bartz was fired as Yahoo CEO. She sent an email to all employees that read, "I am very sad to tell you that I've just been fired over the phone by Yahoo's Chairman of the of Board." That's not the best way to go out. What are some other example of ungraceful exits?
Events
- Dos and Don'ts of Small Business Marketing May 29 @ 11 am PT
- Lead Nurturing 202: The Next Generation May 31 @ 11 am PT
- The Tricks to Paid Media June 6 @ 11 am PT
- Display Advertising for Brand Awareness June 20 @ 11 am PT
Related Activity
2 Answers
"Okay guys I'm out of here" as the fellow employee was packing up and leaving, unbeknownst to the co workers.
While I agree with you 110% that Ms. Bartz's email was less than graceful, I have to wonder if by sending it out, she is (successfully) pulling a sympathy play with others who are disenchanted with Yahoo! - employees as well as consumers. Eventually the story would break and she has the first attack to create media buzz and have certain individuals thinking "wow, a phone call!?!", ultimately siding with her.
I think it depends on the circumstances; however, those who create a scene of any type are the worst kind of all.
Some people just don't show up for work without saying a word to anyone and that is inappropriate because the business has no idea that they will need to replace an employee.
Many years ago, I simply left a letter of resignation on the small business owner's desk while he was at lunch and said it was effective immediately and walked out the door. In the letter, I also stated that I had turned the company into the state Attorney General because of fraudulent activities that I had uncovered and the owner refused to cease. The owner had a violent temper and had thrown things at people including customers and on more than one occasion had threatened to kill me if I ever left. I didn't think he would actually kill me but I was concerned about a possible physical attack. It may not have been a graceful or even a very professional exit but it was the safest by far.
Sometimes it is not about how the employee exits but about how the company treats an employee that resigns or is terminated. In the case of Carol Bartz, a phone call was decidedly unprofessional. If the COB couldn't (or wouldn't) have the courtesy to meet in person, then at least a letter or a substitute person should have delivered the termination information.
Answer This Question