Success! (& some opinions & advice needed)

[Stephanie]

I haven't posted a lot about my job; but I will say that the last year and a half have not been easy. It's lead to a lot of problems in my personal life - basically that I haven't HAD a life.

Well, after nearly 5 months of patiently waiting (after the initial verbal job offer), I have accepted a new position elsewhere! I signed the acceptance letter on Friday; & gave my two week's notice yesterday.

I start the new position in October.; and I'll have around 2 weeks of vacation as a break between jobs.

I cannot tell you how RELIEVED I am about all of this. Thew job's not much of a raise; but it should be decent.


So here's my question -

I'm currently in a management type position (I only supervise 5 people though). Should I do something for the whole office staff to show my appreciation? There's only about 20 of us. I'm not expecting a going away party - that doesn't seem to be done where I am; but should I "bring treats" for everyone?

If so, what should I do? What would be appropriate?

I've never left a job quite like this before.

[mikebw]

That sounds cool, I mean if my 'mananger' were to leave I wouldn't expect anything from her, so for you to do something like that I think would leave a positive impression on their minds.

Oh, and congrats on the new job. I just hope I can get so lucky here soon...

[Stephanie]

Thank you mikebw.

5 months ago, I literally had two different people I knew at a professional level call me up & offer me jobs. Due to red tape, both offers were delayed. It was pretty much a race to see which one would come through first. Luckily, the one I preferred is the one that came through! The other one is still pending. I need to call them & let them know I'm no longer interested (um, anyone got any advice on that?)

So, back to the question - what should I bring? I have a week and a half to figure this out.

[MacMagus]

If you're the boss, you can throw a party.

I say, if you like them then bring a cake, refreshments and some modest gifts (desk-chachkes) to show your appreciation and to reflect the better paycheck you're getting or else take everyone out to a nice extended lunch.

If you don't particularly like them, bring a bucket of donut holes and some soda to demonstrate your good will.

If you actively dislike them then give a brief speech explaining diplomatically that you're moving up and only *imply* that you're leaving the deadweight behind.

[SteveJobs]

Just take the next two weeks in vacation and never look back baby!

[WHiiP]

I doubt that your employer would appreciate doing something on his (her) time and/or property.

So, a wrapped gift (could be a note telling them to expect an iTunes gift certificate to arrive in their e-mail) with a nice Thank You card given to each person on your way out. Perhaps with your new business card as well, or at least future contact information.

Perhaps even a Thank You card for the owner . . . you did learn something while you were there, didn't you? Don't burn any bridges that you don't have to...

[olnacl]

In the company I work for, it's customary for the group to take the departing individual to lunch. Only time I did anything different was when I took my team out for lunch when our project was outsourced. In this case, we were split up and absorbed by other groups within the org, and I was showing appreciation for their dedication and hard work as members of my team. BTW, I was probably the only person in the company to ever do that, but my history was as a small business owner before moving into a large corporation and I felt a connection with the people who worked with me. Now that we're all "resources" in the great corporate world, there's not much of that feeling left.

[Paul F.]

Congratulations!
I know you've been looking for a while... glad something came through!


I think it would be cool to have pizza delivered some afternoon... or bring a plate of good brownies... or something.
I wouldn't go so far as to throw a party and hire strippers or anything...
(Well, *I* would... the strippers, I mean... but that's immaterial to your situation... ).


Here's the IMPORTANT question....
At your new gig... Do you get a new Mac?

[bazookaman]

I think you should leave a time released box of snakes at your old office set to go off the day after you leave.

[timg]

If your job is as bad as you say, then maybe you should get everyone in the office an interview at a better company as a going away present!