Should We Celebrate Every Employee's Departure with a Farewell Party? Seeking Your Thoughts

Hi Bhavna,

There is an issue in the company regarding giving a farewell party to an employee who is leaving the company. We have an employee who has been associated with the company since its inception and has wholeheartedly contributed to the company's growth. She is leaving as she is getting married.

In my opinion, when an employee leaves the company, it signifies a loss and should not necessarily be celebrated. However, considering the significant contributions she has made to the company's growth, it would be appropriate to acknowledge her importance by giving her a farewell party.

The challenge arises when deciding whether to extend this gesture to all employees who leave, which may not be feasible for every case.

I would like to hear your opinion and suggestions on this matter. What do you think would be the right approach?

Thank you,
Bhavna Bhadka

I want your opinion and suggestions regarding this issue....what can be the right way???
From your narration my humble opinion is she sure does deserve a party considering her loyalty, contribution, commitment etc. I know her leaving the company is nothing to celebrate as you'll are losing a valuable employee.
But in my observation, farewell parties are not official. It is rather a tribute to her which is organized by her set of friends or the department. When you are leaving a company, if you are leaving the company and you are a worthy person, then your co-workers wish you good luck with a bash.
As far as I am aware, there is no written down policy with regard to this in any company and these parties are not officially organized by the management, hence no conflict.
I am no pro, so comments and criticism is welcome.

Dear Bhavana,

It's nice to give a farewell to a person. Sometimes the company doesn't support it, and the same thing happened to me too. But I didn't bother. My colleagues did, by collecting the amount from each person themselves, and they made the company feel shame on their part. And now I hear that the company gives the farewell party and others too.

Bhavana,

Two sentences from me...

Giving farewell parties is the area to concentrate for departments and not for the company. It is a private affair, and companies or management don't get involved in this.

Giving a farewell party to one does not mean that it is for all. Usually, the length of your association with the company and your contribution towards the growth of the company decide if you will get a farewell party or not.

I hope this will help.

Regards,

Sanjeev Sharma
Blog: http://sanjeevhimachali.blogspot.com/

I subscribe to the views of Ashra.

From your query, I understand that your colleague is leaving because of her marriage. So why not give her a party? We also need to take care of them so that they have pleasant memories with our company. We never know, we might rehire them one day.

SG Vignesh

Thank you very much, Ashra, Daniel, Sanjeev, and Vignesh for your valuable suggestions and opinions. We have all contributed and organized a great party. Perhaps the company itself may not get involved, but as individuals, we can always come together to give our colleagues memorable farewells.

Thank you all, and have a great time.

Bhavna Bhadka

In my viewpoint, an organization should specify its viewpoint/policy pertaining to farewell parties in its policy manual. Ideally, the organization should arrange for a farewell party for any employee who has served it for five years or more. This will create a good impression about the organization with the parting employee and also with those continuing with it.

The ticklish issue arises when an employee is retrenched or is parting in a not-too-friendly situation. Hence, a company can always state in their policy that it will arrange for a farewell party at its discretion. Colleagues may be allowed to arrange for a farewell for their colleagues on the premises of the organization after working hours at their expense.

Hi,

In my opinion, she deserves the party because she has worked with full dedication for the company. She is leaving not because she got a better offer in monetary terms, but because she is getting married. So, you are all giving her your best wishes through this party.

As far as losing a good employee is concerned, it's a part of life, and we all have to accept this. At least she will feel good when you all arrange a party for her as it will show your concern and affection towards her.

Thanks,
Pooja

Dear Bhavna,

My viewpoint is that you need to have clear guidelines mapped out for a farewell party in your organization. You can frame a policy where any person serving the organization for 5-7 years will be given a farewell party and get it approved from the top management. You can decide upon the budget for the same.

Regards,
Derek

Hi Bhavana,

The fact is that your colleague is leaving because she is getting married. Had it not been for her marriage, she would have stayed. The company may experience a loss due to her resignation, but the employee is moving on in life.

There is no doubt that a farewell is in order. Whether it's at a departmental level or at the management level, that's a policy decision. It would depend - Heads of Dept may be given a farewell by the company, other levels could be departmental with the company contributing financially and setting scales. Anything beyond the set scale would be shared by the department. Even if it's a loss to the company, the employees feel happy that the company cares for them.

Slightly off-topic though related - Is she leaving town? Is she willing to rejoin after a month or two? Why not keep the option open? I have come across numerous cases wherein a lady resigns due to marriage only to return a few months later wanting to rejoin.

All the best,
Ajay

Farewell parties are usually not thrown by employers these days. I have come across an instance where the MD threw a party bidding farewell to an employee on his last day of service by taking the concerned department out for lunch.

That's about it!

Hi All,

We faced this issue some time back and decided on the following:

- No farewell party for individuals who have resigned or are being relieved from the company.
- Farewell party for those retiring from the company, regardless of their tenure or rank. This includes a cash reward or an item of the employee's choice within a specified limit, with departmental get-together expenses covered by the company.
- In other cases, the group can organize a party through contributions, given their personal relationships.

Thanks,
Pankaj Patodi

Bhavna,

We had this farewell party organized in our company for two personnel who were with us for the complete duration of a major project. It is a certain morale booster to have this party. We also got the senior project manager to give a few words to the two employees.

It is really a wonderful opportunity to bury all the misgivings we have with the employee and also ensure that you will have friends in the industry who may at some later date come back to work for you or refer others. This is an excellent trend as it will increase the morale in the organization and also give the employees who are in the company a feeling of security.

I think you should start this and make it a habit. Parties need not be lavish, just some tea/coffee with some snacks will also do. You can make this party an informal one.

Regards,
Praveen

Thank you, Dixit, Pankaj, and Praveen for your comments on this. It can be done that employees getting retired can be given parties, and those who resign from the company cannot. However, individuals can always get together and give the party.
Thank you all,
Bhavna

Hi,

There is no reason to think so much over this topic. This is a natural process; if someone new comes into the family, it is enjoyable, and when someone leaves, it is also. All this makes the moment lighter and gives us (company) a chance to say thanks for his/her contribution, whether big or small. This is also considered a good HR practice.

Well, there is no written policy on this; it depends upon the family and culture.

Thanks,
Vivek

Hi Bhavna,

I have read everybody's points of view. According to the rules, there is nothing on paper that states the employee who is leaving the company or organization should get a farewell. My opinion is that employees who have worked with the company for the last 5 years, 10 years, etc. should receive a farewell. Actually, their moving to another company or getting married is our best wishes for them. It's a small get-together for all of them.

In my company, two employees have left their jobs for better opportunities. We have given them a farewell as a gesture of appreciation, whether you wish to or not. FAREWELL SHOULD BE THERE... :)

Regards,
Swati

Hi Bhavana,

In my opinion, we have to bid farewell to the outgoing employees; otherwise, employees may not form a favorable opinion about the company. The approach to this process, such as the forum and procedures, depends on the size of the company and its policies.

Ideally, the Department Head should organize a farewell gathering on the departing employee's last working day. During this event, the HOD can speak about the employee's contributions and present a gift (featuring the company logo) as a token of appreciation for their service to the company.

Regards,
Sidhu

Dear Friends,

Let me put this across from the HR point of view.

By not giving a farewell, it raises concerns in the minds of good, talented, target-oriented employees that no matter how hard they work, the company will not recognize their efforts. There is a perception that the company always thinks a better replacement is readily available in the market, leading to employees simply sticking to meeting targets. Innovative desires to improve the working atmosphere are suppressed. The company becomes a place solely focused on debits and credits, with no consideration for mutual welfare. Consequently, people may leave the company without notice, leaving insufficient time to find suitable replacements, leading to attrition problems, and so on.

Giving a farewell keeps employees feeling that they are leaving with dignity. It ensures proper relief for those departing by giving notice and allows for a comfortable time frame to find suitable replacements.

In your case, the possibility of an employee rejoining the company after marriage is also possible, which is advantageous for the company as it gains a rehire who is already familiar with the policies and procedures.

DO GO FOR A FAREWELL.

Regards,

Bhattacharya