Investing in your offboarding shows your employees that you truly value them, not just while they’re with you, but also when they leave. A respectful, appreciative farewell makes employees feel like their contributions mattered, which is something they’ll carry with them. 

By demonstrating respect during offboarding, your company not only values the individual employee but also reinforces its brand ethos and culture to the wider organisation. A personalised farewell or recognition of their contributions can speak volumes about the company’s values and distinguish your brand in the market. 

Positive offboarding doesn’t just benefit the person leaving, it can boost morale across the entire team. 

For other employees, while it is unlikely to be the sole determining factor, a departing employee being treated with respect shows the remaining team members that the company values its people. Something which could influence their decision to stay and invest more in their own roles. 

The ripple effect goes beyond morale. it can also work wonders for your recruitment efforts. The way you treat employees when they leave sends a message both to your team and to the broader job market. With platforms like Glassdoor, feedback from former employees is not more visible than ever.  

As Taylor Meadows from Glassdoor points out, “Employee voices are some of the most effective vehicles for communicating a company’s brand story”. Real stories from your team can be one of your most powerful brand assets, showing the true culture and values of your organisation.  

For example, companies like Google have successfully used employee stories and testimonials in their branding, showcasing the unique culture and values of the organisation through real-life experiences.  

To create a best-practice off-boarding process, start with strong communication. 

This could mean administrative changes such as creating a standardised communication plan or exit interview framework. This could include clear steps for notifying team members of a departure and what should be communicated to the departing employee. Companies could ask leavers to share their most rewarding experiences as well as offering suggestions for improvement. This not only ensures a smooth exit but can also uncover valuable insights for the company. 

Collecting employee stories and testimonials takes a more people-centric approach to offboarding. Being able to shine a light of individual experiences within your organisation helps you to illustrate your brand culture from the eyes of your workforce.