Hi,
Separated employees fall in two categories.
1) Those who leave the organization, and
2) Those who are asked to leave organizations (for whatever the reasons!)
The first category is the one that represents a "resource" even if they have left the organization in search of greener pastures. While they were with us they (may) have contributed to the well being of the organization. We will talk about them for the present.
It is in the selfish interests of the organization to keep track of such employees, as future reunion with them should not be ruled out for the reasons that:
a) They know the organization.
b) The organization knows them.
c) While they were with us , there was a professional and cultural fit between them and the organization and therefore in case of a reunion the these ex-employees become operational almost forthwith.
The ways to keep in touch with them can be many and innovation is the limit in devicing the ways to keep up the contact. For example, we can continue to send the the house journal, Birth-day/New Year Greeting Cards, Invite them to Annual Get togethers, and mainly through their colleagues while they were with us even a social rapport can be manitained. We can go on like this, but the fundamental reason to keep up the contact is that would be in mutual ineterests and is a cultural commitment of good HR!
I rest my case!
Regards
samvedan
August 25, 2006