Successful HR executives from Forbes Human Resources Council offer leadership and management insights.
When an employee decides to leave a company to pursue their own goals and desires, it can cause distress and even ill feelings within the ranks of the organization. While some companies are genuinely happy to see their employees moving up in life, others see it as the employee abandoning the business and are unable to part ways amicably.
However, keeping in touch and on good terms with a former employee might offer significant benefits to an organization later on. Eight professionals from Forbes Human Resources Council examine how keeping on good terms with former employees can positively boost the stature of the company in the future, and why a strong bond with these former team members is such a good idea.
Members explain why it's beneficial to maintain good relationships with your former employees.
Photos courtesy of the individual members1. Creating Advocates For Life
A departure doesn't mean a breakup. You want to ensure that people are leaving with a great taste in their mouth, that they will still advocate for your company when they are recruiting, you want them to use your product or technology and services if they are now part of a startup. You have a shot at having a loyal customer, partner, advocate, freelancer and even a boomerang! - Priya Priyadarshini, Microsoft
2. Getting Good References And Referrals
Relationships play a critical part in your career trajectory. The further you get in your career, the smaller your professional universe becomes. You cross paths with the same people at conferences or other industry events and your reputation often precedes you. Maintaining good relationships means good references and referrals for opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise know existed. - Regina W. Romeo, CPS HR Consulting
3. Creating A Talent Ecosystem
To keep up with change, organizations need to be flexible, scaling teams up and scaling teams down to meet demands. Fostering an alumni network can be an agile extension of your current team. A known quantity, they know your culture and expectations so they can hit the ground running. Agile companies can tap into this talent ecosystem to quickly pivot ahead of companies stuck in fixed staffing models. - Alvin Piket, Saudi Aramco
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4. Building A Strong Employer Brand
Whether they are current or former employees, how you treat your people will create your real employer brand. It will be posted, shared, communicated and more if you treat them badly. Good relationships after employment can lead to recruiting referrals, positive branding efforts, and possible boomerang employees. - Kelly Loudermilk, BuildHR, Inc.
5. Creating A Boomerang Crew
Openly encourage people who are unsure about whether to stay or go to explore life outside your doors. While scary, if your culture is a good one, these employees will quickly find that things may not be as rosy once they leave. Whether they explore or actually go, your continued positive relationship will likely bring some good ones back in the future — with greater skills and knowledge. - Carol MacKinlay, UserTesting
6. Increasing Loyalty Of Current Team
Ex-employees will come up in conversation and it is important for current employees to see that they were valued and treated well. If their paths cross, you want only positive feedback. If not, current employees may lose trust in the leadership and change their behavior, especially when leaving. This can increase risk. Good relations will ensure a more positive working environment. - Karla Reffold, BeecherMadden
7. Getting Good Alumni Reviews
Former employees are like walking Yelp reviews for customers and candidates. They are important brand ambassadors who reinforce the culture and competence of an organization and its leaders. They help candidates determine their organizational fit. They help future customers with their buying decisions. Your alumni still have a voice and you want them to give you four or five stars, not just one. - Karen Crone, Paycor, Inc.
8. Making Them Brand Ambassadors
First, former employees will always represent their past employers. Those who leave on a positive note will continue to act as brand ambassadors, referring prospective employees and even clients. Second, around 15% of hires are typically boomerang rehires. Maintaining good relations with former employees can leave the door open for top talent to return, reducing recruiting and onboarding costs. - John Feldmann, Insperity
