On Farewell parties
Why am I feeling angry and irritated? I asked myself as I was returning from a send off party.
People who have put in long years of service get a send off [farewell] on their retirement usually in a five star hotel. Sometimes on their resignation. You have to organise ‘send off’ party if you are in HR function. It is quite an experience.
The venue must be a five star hotel. It must be convenient to the bosses to travel. The bosses have a very disagreeable task of attending all the send off parties and also making a speech. [But then this is a part of their job description as HR Managers would put it]. The bosses get to prepare speech hours before the party. They ask the HR Manager about the retiree’s various postings, important events and achievements. While noting down the points, they come to the last stage. The speech must be finished with a personal touch. Affection must be shown. The standard line ‘At work we are just like a family’ must be said. The boss asks his HR Manager, ‘How many children does he have? What do they do?’ The HR manager stares at him. ‘Don’t tell me YOU do not know!’ the boss reacts. The HR manager usually does not know, after all they rarely spend more than three years in any job. The HR manager continues to stare at him and he now puts on a grin. ‘Why are you asking me? YOU have worked with him all these years!’ He does not say this but suggests through his smile and gestures.
All assemble at the venue. Bar is opened. ‘So, what are your plans?’ the retiree is asked. Nobody is interested in his answer; the hidden question is ‘Are you going to work for my competitor?’
The speeches begin. Bosses are preoccupied with ‘performance’. The speeches sound more like his performance appraisals. Nobody speaks about having enjoyed some great moments together. Audience says sarcastically that bosses discover the potential of their employees at the send off party! But they tell bosses after the speech ‘straight from the heart, boss!’
Now it is the turn of the retiree to speak. I always dread this moment. They are usually unstoppable. Their speeches fall in one of the three categories: [a] He advises the bosses what needs to be done [b] He expresses deep sense of gratitude and ends it by thanking his wife for wonderful support. [In the audience somebody says ‘Behind every successful man there is a woman’. ‘And behind her is his wife’ another man adds. All laugh.] [c] He simply chokes, wipes off tears and utters, ‘Thanks, Thank you friends!’
Contrast this with a send off at an airport. Very few words exchanged. A few hugs and kisses. Moist eyes. The traveller tells his wife or mother or relatives not to get emotional and return home.
Why doesn’t a send off party turn into an emotional event? Is it because organisations seem to have a knack for making things very impersonal? Or is it because we are not involved as we are not the one who is being sent off?
Vivek
Sir… I really like this post… I like the talk about absence of ‘ties’ in jobs..
I think the farewell is for the employee and not for the person and the difference is significant…not only at the farewell party but throughtout the job…
No personal relations ever have farewell party… only professional relations can have farewell parties..
The airport incidence mentioned is not a farewell… the husband, father, son, nephew…will not be replaced once he is away.. and this irrepacability brings in emotions..
On the other hand, “Manager”, “President” and “Employees” are meant to be replaced.. so the questions hovers around ..who next!!
At max…the person will be remembered as the “Best President ever…”
You made a good point Shilpa. When we work with a peson for a long time, we tend to lose something of ourselves along with his/ her work association. Thanks,
Vivek
After a lifetime of being subordinate to someones whims and instructions, why must a farewell be made so official ? Are the words of the bosses worth more than the words of those who have been working close to you for years ? I have never understood this “official send off” stuff. A great meal with your closest colleauges would be much more meaningful, than watching someone fibbing away , as he quietly simultaneously delays your pension benefits.
Hiring and professional development of employees may be a HR function, but I fail to see why a send off should be one.
(had a different and much more heartwarming experience in my own case…..)
Well Said.
I think one of the important questions that needs to be asked is” how does the retiree feel?”
I,for one,have seen that the retiree is overwhelmed with the sentiments expressed. He does not diagnose as we seem to.
One thing that always bothers me is forget the boss, even colleagues who have been working together for lifelong does not know much about the others.
We have been spending much more active time in the office than with the family, still at the end of the day we are like a strangers to our colleagues.
I agree Harekrishnaji. I once interviewed a colleague just before his retirement for our house mag and realised that I knew so little about him, and felt embarassed and bad.
Vivek
The incidences that you have mentioned are so true so realistic…. it has a total …Dil se……impact.
Sirji, Toooooooooooooooooooooo Much! Absolutely apt and very very valid point!I could not have agreed with you more!!!
But this gives you one opportunity post retirement-a module on how to conduct great send offs!!!