Leaving a Workplace with Unfinished Tasks

Question

At my job where I am  furloughed, filing is one of the tasks that are never-ending. I know that there are some files that should have been sent to the storage facility already. My dilemma is if I get a new position, what is the best way to let my manager know what should be completed without sounding like I wasn't doing my job?  Also, how do I stop feeling guilty for not being able to complete everything?

Cate McCarthy · Answer

Once many years ago I got laid off suddenly with no warning - literally came into work, everyone was pulled into a staff meeting announcing the layoff and an hour later HR was at my desk telling me this was my last day. After delivering the news HR asked me if I needed a box for my stuff, I said 'No' and proceeded to pick up my purse toss my headphones, post-it notes (don't judge), and favorite pens (again no judging) in it and started walking away. HR asked me 'Don't you want to do anything about this stuff' pointing at the files on my desk, to which I replied 'No longer my problem'. Moral of the story they'll figure it out without you.

Heide Framil · Answer

Hello. You need to be honest with your manager or colleagues about what needs to be completed or done, and why it wasn't completed. Before you even leave for the new position, those tasks have to be endorsed for proper delegation.

Also, you shouldn't feel guilty about not being able to complete everything if you know in yourself that you 'tried your best' to finish it off at the right time.

Hope it helps.

Cristina Zuazua · Answer

I'd recommend cutting yourself some slack - it's been a rough year on the entire world. I think it would be a credit to your work ethic to just send your former manager a list of things you think are important unfinished items and just leave it on a good, helpful note for that person. Even if you're not thrilled with what that company did, I'm sure your manager will appreciate and remember that down the line (and you never know what may come out of that). Best of luck to you!

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and feedback. I will put a list together of items for my leader to address so that the next person for the role knows what to expect and what to focus on first.  This is one of the reasons I really like this platform!

Allix Stewart · Answer

I echo everyone above - this has been a very difficult year and I doubt any of us are meeting our own expectations of what we should be doing. Do your best and simply be honest with your manager/supervisor before leaving about what should be done. I left one of my previous jobs with less notice than I would have liked to have given and worked as much as possible in the days leading up to my departure to catch up with my filing, but left a to do list with my supervisor of what remained (and the general work I had done with previous clients in case anyone came back). Doing that also helped me understand how much I had done in that job and helped me boost my resume with numbers and accomplishments!

EMILY KIKUE FRANK · Answer

Yes, do what you can and don't feel guilty.  The furlough (and the pandemic) was not your fault, so keep a record of what you have completed and what you haven't-- good practice anyway to keep track of your accomplishments!

Lori Morris, SHRM-CP · Answer

Nobody is 100%  caught up.  It is reasonable to expect that some non-essential tasks go by the wayside.   I am sure they won't be thrilled about the idea of catching up this task but my suggestion is to leave an honest assessment of where you are.  I believe they will appreciate the heads up rather than discovering it on their own later on.  If you have a good explanation for why it didn't get done, give it.  Or just let them know that you were focused on more essential tasks.  Good luck!

Cinzia Iacovelli · Answer

Don't feel guilty, my friend. If they laid you off, they should find a way to figure it out now that you are not there anymore. Not your problem :)

Carolyn A · Answer

When I left my previous job I emailed my mgr,  my team and my mgr's mgr with a dot point list of where my things were at.  So they all had the same info,  noting what was unfinished due to my mgr saying 'near enough is good enough' and to draw a line/the rest is up to the mgr's.  No guilt no emotion.  I'm in contact with a friend from my team and 8 months after I left there are tasks still not complete - that's on the mgr.

Anonymous · Answer

Hello there. I’m going to address your last comment first. One of my most liberating professional experiences was the day I realized that no matter what I did, I would never be completely caught up. Time management and the ability to prioritize aside, work is not static and the minute one task is finished the next in line takes its place. And this does not include the unfinished tasks that lurk, like filing often does.
Unless the sole focus of your position was filing, or this was a very clear directive from your manager, then I would be careful of equating unfinished filing with not doing your job. If the files which have not yet been sent to storage contain privileged information (and are not currently stored in a secure place) then that should be addressed. Otherwise plan for a professional exit by creating a very detailed list of outstanding tasks in the event you find a new position.

Leaving a Workplace with Unfinished Tasks

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