Turning Goodbyes into Opportunities: The Power of Empathetic Exit Management

A dismissal can mean opportunities – even if it sounds paradoxical.

“If you as a manager handle the exit process correctly, the employee can become a future ambassador,” says Anders Ellbjär, CEO of Aventus, Arbora’s partner in Sweden.

In the same way that many companies invest in a good onboarding, you have a lot to gain from investing in a strong offboarding. Anders says that an empathetic manager provides their employees with the best conditions to take the next step in their working life.

“That’s why it’s of the utmost importance to show them care – both when they serve the company’s purpose and afterwards. They want to be able to have their former manager as a reference in their upcoming job search, and you want them to continue to talk about your business, as well as increase the opportunity for them to come back,” he says.

Looking ahead together

To succeed with a dismissal, Anders therefore recommends careful preparation. Book times for meetings at the beginning of the week and set aside an appropriate amount of time, preferably early in the day. Prepare carefully – it’s not just about what you say but how you say it.

During the meetings, you should then be prepared to manage and respond to emotions. Be ready for criticism too and questions and therefore make sure to enter the meeting fully prepared. Be sure to put your own emotions aside and not get defensive but focus on the person who is actually affected. Finally, you should look to the future together and instil hope: some layoffs can actually be the start of something new.

Anders points out that an empathetic termination process reduces the risk of dissatisfaction that can damage the company’s brand. For example, through posts on social media. By offering outplacement and transition packages, employers can instead support employees further. Aventus has a long experience in developing such solutions that strengthen both the brand and relationships with employees, both during and after their employment, he concludes.