leaving speech - redundancy
Discussion
two memebers of my team were identified for redundancy earlier in the year, thurday and friday will be their last day at the office. I hasten to add that I was not involved in the decision but my line manager was.
So, they are well respected and liked people so we want to mark this rather sad day. We have done the usual card and collection.
Now normally when people leave the company there is the usual speech at the desk with everyone stood round, friendly words are said and a few stories of gaffs and cock ups so it is always light hearted.
However, in this situation it is different, they have not got new jobs to go to, so the future is uncertain, but I do gather that they have been paid off rather well.
I want to do a speech/presentation thing as i think it is the right thing to do, so i was going to book a meeting room and invite a few of us and keep it a bit more low key, i have run this past them and they are ok with this.
What I need help with really is what to say and how to handle it, i can't imagine that it is going to be a pleasant experiance in the office on those days but I have to mark the end of their time here in some way.
Any suggestions people?
Many thanks
So, they are well respected and liked people so we want to mark this rather sad day. We have done the usual card and collection.
Now normally when people leave the company there is the usual speech at the desk with everyone stood round, friendly words are said and a few stories of gaffs and cock ups so it is always light hearted.
However, in this situation it is different, they have not got new jobs to go to, so the future is uncertain, but I do gather that they have been paid off rather well.
I want to do a speech/presentation thing as i think it is the right thing to do, so i was going to book a meeting room and invite a few of us and keep it a bit more low key, i have run this past them and they are ok with this.
What I need help with really is what to say and how to handle it, i can't imagine that it is going to be a pleasant experiance in the office on those days but I have to mark the end of their time here in some way.
Any suggestions people?
Many thanks
Soovy said:
Ask them. They probably want to slip away quietly.
To be honest if I'd been laid off and was unemployed, if someone stood up and made a speech thanking me for all my hard work I'd f
king chin the .
+1 on both pointsTo be honest if I'd been laid off and was unemployed, if someone stood up and made a speech thanking me for all my hard work I'd f
king chin the .I'd find it incredibly patronising and frustrating if i'd just been made redundant. Unless they are chuffed to be leaving with a huge payout of course?
I do agree with both of you, my line manager who was involved in the decision to lay them off doesn't want to get involved and rightly so.
It's just that I 've worked with these people for almost 10 years, it doesn't sit right with me to simply say ok then all the best, shake their hand and then clear off.
I'm not saying ballons and etc just something dignified, it would probably only be 4 or 5 of us in a small room somewhere.
It's just that I 've worked with these people for almost 10 years, it doesn't sit right with me to simply say ok then all the best, shake their hand and then clear off.
I'm not saying ballons and etc just something dignified, it would probably only be 4 or 5 of us in a small room somewhere.
eric twinge said:
I do agree with both of you, my line manager who was involved in the decision to lay them off doesn't want to get involved and rightly so.
It's just that I 've worked with these people for almost 10 years, it doesn't sit right with me to simply say ok then all the best, shake their hand and then clear off.
I'm not saying ballons and etc just something dignified, it would probably only be 4 or 5 of us in a small room somewhere.
Just go and ASK them.It's just that I 've worked with these people for almost 10 years, it doesn't sit right with me to simply say ok then all the best, shake their hand and then clear off.
I'm not saying ballons and etc just something dignified, it would probably only be 4 or 5 of us in a small room somewhere.
I did, as I mentioned.
I was asking advice about what to say and what not to say.
"I want to do a speech/presentation thing as i think it is the right thing to do, so i was going to book a meeting room and invite a few of us and keep it a bit more low key, i have run this past them and they are ok with this."
I was asking advice about what to say and what not to say.
"I want to do a speech/presentation thing as i think it is the right thing to do, so i was going to book a meeting room and invite a few of us and keep it a bit more low key, i have run this past them and they are ok with this."
When I was made redundant, I just went and said goodbye to those I wanted to.
Having said that, I found out on the Wednesday, my next shift was the Friday, and that would be my last. Didn't even work it in the end, just went in to have the official HR chat, and lear my desk.
There was no Goodbyes to the team, just my manager and the guy who had been called in to do my shift, and the people I wanted to see.
There was the feeling at the back of my mind when I was seeing these people, whether any of them were the ones who had marked me down for redundancy.
Having said that, I found out on the Wednesday, my next shift was the Friday, and that would be my last. Didn't even work it in the end, just went in to have the official HR chat, and lear my desk.
There was no Goodbyes to the team, just my manager and the guy who had been called in to do my shift, and the people I wanted to see.
There was the feeling at the back of my mind when I was seeing these people, whether any of them were the ones who had marked me down for redundancy.
mike325112 said:
Op if they are friends then surely having a couple of beers in the pub would be a more suitable event?
i suggested that as well, but they're not really drinkers and didn't fancy that either. I'll book something low key which they are ok with and say a few words and leave it at that, I'll gauge the mood at the time i reckon, cheers all.Let everyone know they're there as whoever's leaving, thank them for their work, say you've enjoyed working with them, wish them the best for the future. Should be about it, shouldn't it? I just wouldn't mention the circumstances of their leaving, it's not relevant to what is really just a thanks-and-all-the-best thing.
Extended lunch hour for the whole team? Take them out to a pub/restaurant for lunch and then claim it back on expenses as 'Employee reward and recognition'. They get to see all their coleagues and mates for a bit and you get to look like the good bloke (not saying that's what you're in it for!) and say a few private words within the team - I'm sure everyone will echo your sentiments when in that kind of environment.
Having been made redundant, I can tell you that not making a speech was my preference - Anyone who I actually liked spoke to me on the phone directly.
On the day I handed in all company property, got back in my car tooted and waved two fingers out of the window as I drove away.
I was looking forward to spending the 10's of thousands which I had been given as part of the deal!
If they do a speech and they are at all disgruntled this could become very embarrassing for all involved- not as if they're going to lose their jobs if they decide to rant about their situation.
On the day I handed in all company property, got back in my car tooted and waved two fingers out of the window as I drove away.
I was looking forward to spending the 10's of thousands which I had been given as part of the deal!
If they do a speech and they are at all disgruntled this could become very embarrassing for all involved- not as if they're going to lose their jobs if they decide to rant about their situation.
Whatever you do don't all hawk around their desks minutes after they leave, stealing whatever stationery supplies that they leave behind
Very uncomfortable when they walk back in having forgotten their coat, to find a horde of vultures around their desk and someone sat in their chair
To be fair though, he was a right to55er!
Very uncomfortable when they walk back in having forgotten their coat, to find a horde of vultures around their desk and someone sat in their chair
To be fair though, he was a right to55er!
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