There are various reasons for an employee's relocation, transfer, or removal from their current position or company. These can be due to promotion, expansion, restructuring, downsizing, mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, outsourcing, performance reviews, internal transfers, retirement, resignation, personal issues, termination, etc. All these factors cause emotional distress to individuals who have formed close ties with their colleagues. When an individual moves away or leaves the company entirely, their teammates experience emotions such as anger, sadness, guilt, betrayal, disappointment, abandonment, fear, anxiety, depression, loneliness, isolation, and grief. They may feel abandoned because they will no longer interact with them regularly and face challenges that require joint efforts to solve.
There are effective ways to help your teammates adapt emotionally when faced with this situation.
One way is to stay in touch with the former colleague through phone calls, emails, text messages, social media platforms, or meetings. This maintains the connection between them and helps them process the separation gradually instead of suddenly. Another approach is to celebrate their successes and share good news about them with the remaining staff members. It shows you care and value their friendship, making it easier for everyone to accept the change.
You could create a group chat or messaging system where they can continue discussing work-related topics and ask questions without feeling alone.
It would also help if you expressed gratitude towards the departed employee by organizing a farewell party or surprise gift. Such gestures show appreciation for their contributions and make them feel appreciated. Moreover, you can introduce new hires quickly into the organization's culture and values so that the departed employee does not feel like a vacuum has been left. Lastly, it would be best to provide emotional support to those who need it during this period. Encourage them to talk openly about their feelings and offer assistance if necessary. These measures can assist individuals in coping effectively with emotional distress caused by a close colleague's relocation, transfer, or departure from the company.
How do individuals adapt emotionally when a close colleague is reassigned, relocated, or lost due to operational events?
When individuals are faced with the loss of a close colleague due to operational events, such as reassignment, relocation, or even death, they may experience a range of emotions that can impact their mental health and overall well-being. The type of emotions experienced will depend on various factors, including the strength of the relationship between the individual and their colleague, the circumstances surrounding the event, and the individual's personal coping strategies.