Do you share where you are moving onto when exiting a job?

Anonymous

March 28,2023 at 8:36PM UTC

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Do you share where you are moving onto when exiting a job?

I am in the early interview process with a new opportunity. Currently, whenever someone leaves at my current employment, the director writes a VERY long winded email about the employee's accomplishments and where they are going to next.

My question is (as I think ahead) this - is that necessary? What have you told an employer and how was it announced to the team?

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Apologies - it was a long and stressful day!

To clarify, I am wondering if it's ok to NOT tell your boss/team where you are moving onto. I'd rather just leave and say that I'm pursuing other opportunities and once I'm settled, I'll be back in touch (honestly, I love some of my team members). However, I am annoyed at these "I'm sad to report that NAME will be leaving as TITLE and his/her last day is DATE. He/She will be joining XYZ as their new TITLE...." and then proceed to write 3-4 paragraphs on their merits.

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AnonymousMarch 28,2023 at 9:07PM UTC
It is none of their business unless you are under a non-disclosure or non-compete agreement. If they have a habit of a long-winded exit email like this, you can request that they do not do so when you leave and that you would prefer to announce it to the rest of the team personally.
To answer the other question, I typically told my employer where I was going when I served notice, but never in writing (i.e., the formal resignation letter). When my employees resigned, I never asked, but most of them told me anyway.
AnonymousMarch 28,2023 at 9:08PM UTC
Does your manager know where you're going to? I used to believe it was a nice gesture. Then the wording was changed to ....leaving...pursue other ventures.... and that's when all the gossiping starts. THAT wording makes is sound as if you were terminated and people love to chew on that, don't we know. Maybe you could suggest that instead, the email be kept short and sweet, and only mention how you helped the company _____________ and ask that we all wish __________ well in her new position.
AnonymousMarch 28,2023 at 9:49PM UTC
I think you do you. I have had a coworker lie, and when they put in notice the sentiment was 'hey if it doesn't work out we would love to have you back', then on LinkedIn it was NOT that job they shared NOR the company. To me, the integrity was then lost. People move on, it's okay. If you choose to share then share correctly, if you don't share, it's all good too. Suffice it to say, that lie, and I believe it was due to being new in their career, has tainted the sentiment of us hiring them back. I think it was an immaturity issue, and that's where I encouraged grace from my team to look at through that lens.
Kathy LeskiMarch 28,2023 at 10:10PM UTC
Most people I know do not tell their existing employer before they leave. They may tell close associates or friends at the company. Usually they just update their LinkedIn.
AnonymousMarch 28,2023 at 10:29PM UTC
I agree with your “be back in touch” approach.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMarch 28,2023 at 10:46PM UTC
I'd say do what feels right to you but where you're going is just one line in that long email your boss turns out. Don't be surprised if he still does it even if you don't share where you're going.
Charlotte LafferMarch 28,2023 at 10:52PM UTC
That is def not necessary. I would like to think that if you expressed the desire to keep your ventures to yourself, the manager would respect that wish. Good luck in your next venture - can you write us a long email about your accomplishments? :)
Just kidding - good luck!
Heather BinghamMarch 28,2023 at 11:37PM UTC
You may find it awkward, but what your Director does is considered best practice by many, including me. It communicates that you're leaving on happy terms, shares in some of your excitement, and quells gossip. Gossip can start focused on the leaver, but that can easily build to overall grumbling and disquiet. Naturally the organisation you are leaving does not want this to happen. You are perfectly within your rights to ask for it not to be sent, or to be left vague, but that will fuel the rumour mill, not avoid it. Why not just ensure you reach out to all those you "love" first, so just work with the Director on the timing?
AnonymousMarch 29,2023 at 5:01PM UTC
Definitely okay to not share. If you are going to a competitor, however, make sure that you abide by whatever agreements were signed (a former employer successfully sued an exec when he went to a competitor within a certain time frame).
I've seen different philosophies around departure notices. Some are long-winded almost reading like an obituary. Some are short and sweet (Jane Does is no longer with the company as of X date, please direct all questions to Manager, we wish Jane Doe well in future endeavors) and some...well...some just never happen. You don't know until you get an email bounce back.
AnonymousMarch 30,2023 at 2:05PM UTC
NO, unless you have a contract then follow what the contract states on your obligations. Otherwise no. I have seen fellow employees find someone at the new company or knows someone who knows someone at the new company to say something about you. it could be good or it could be negative. Loose lips sink ships.
AnonymousMarch 30,2023 at 3:21PM UTC
It's none of their business. I usually wait for a while then update my linked in profile but this time, I've gone 6 months without updating it. My last company's people are nosy.
AnonymousMarch 30,2023 at 4:43PM UTC
I prefer not to share - especially to the company at large! If pressed, I give a vague answer, such as "a community-building organization," or "a group that does some publishing and public relations work." Or I might share that I'm moving to a position where I can focus more on a particular skill or interest.
Anyone who needs to know, or who might be a networking contact, will get information from me directly after I make the move.
AnonymousMarch 30,2023 at 4:52PM UTC
I like your response definitely keep it close to home until you are prepared to discuss and divulge. Don't let anyone else steal your thunder, after all its your news to share not theirs. Congrats on your upcoming new role!
AnonymousMarch 30,2023 at 5:27PM UTC
I’m in HR and handle exit interviews at my company and I always ask but let the person know they don’t have to tell me if they don’t feel comfortable. That’s entirely your decision if you want to share or not. I will say if you have LinkedIn and update it, eventually they will find out.
AnonymousMarch 30,2023 at 5:53PM UTC
No to providing the company name but yes to the industry where you are going. The exception is if you are moving onto a direct competitor, as your current company may have rules about termination for moving onto a competitor. This was the lesson learned last year when I was let go the next day for not to disclosing where I was going when I had given notice.
NOTE: I moved onto a company outside the industry of the one where I was working. I could have said I was moving into a different industry instead of having the employer assume the worst and fire me the next day.
AnonymousMarch 31,2023 at 2:30PM UTC
Those noncompetes are usually unenforceable in court.
Keitsitse LosabaMarch 31,2023 at 6:50PM UTC
I submitted my formal resignation today. I simply stated my aspirations and career goals do not match with the company and my role at the company. I have accepted a job where I’m going to be immersed in the space or field I have been wanting to go into for some months now.
i have a non compete but the company I’m going to isn’t even an engineering company ergo my not stating what company I’m going to.