Parting Ways Gracefully: How to Leave Your Bridges Unburned
Juliet may have lead you to believe that “parting is such sweet sorrow,” but does it have to be that way for every Romeo? Can something useful be salvaged from a business relationship coming to an end, thus avoiding the obvious oxymoron? Since I have the microphone and my questions aren’t rhetorical, I’m going to lean into the mic and say “yes, my dear Montague, there just may be a Santa Claus.” If you’re not thoroughly confused already, read on to find out how to pull a rabbit out of your hat, or points south of there.
While I’ve tried to provide my clients with an excellent value for their money, it’s inevitable that for one reason or another, some contracts just won’t be renewed. When this is the case, it’s better to make lemonade from the lemons life handed you than to piss in a glass and call it the same. Many employees and even some contractors feel the desire to “take it to the boards” and badmouth their former benefactors. I can assure you that little good can come of this. Aside from the short-term satisfaction, no one is likely to rush to your aid with anything more than words, and you may even turn off some future employers with your harsh criticisms and potential mishandling of company secrets.
Instead, it is often better to avoid breaking the fourth wall on the fantasy that you have done nothing wrong and are a superlative employee who rarely takes four-hour lunch breaks or pees in the office coffee pot. The adult community is a very small one for those of us who write code for the industry. Demerits get around much more quickly than accolades, but that doesn’t mean that people don’t make recommendations based on a positive experience.
On the way out the door, many people try to negotiate getting paid for unused vacation, a couple of extra weeks using the company car, or a few months of severance pay. Instead, it may be much more profitable in the long run to make your focus leaving a good impression on those around you. I can tell you from experience that it’s a great feeling when a prior employer tells you that not renewing your contract was one of the worst business decisions they’ve ever made.
If a company is allowing my contract to lapse because of funding issues, I try to give them a couple of hours per week of what would otherwise be my leisure time to wrap up any loose ends or complete documentation. This can go a long way in the eyes of someone who may be in a more stable financial position in the future.
On the topic of a change in your employment situation, make it a point to deliver and delete any outstanding work-product you have for your client, even if it’s only partly completed. Never give in to the temptation to “re-use” code that has been created on a contract. Not only is it not morally right, it can also land you in legal hot water.
By putting your best foot forward as you walk out the door, you just might be walking in the direction of your next juicy contract.