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Farewell parties can be a controversial topic. Some managers don’t believe in offering a party to a team member who is leaving. However, I believe that if the employee is leaving on good terms, a party is a nice way to honor and acknowledge the work she has done for your team and your organization.
When planning a farewell party keep these tips in mind.
Schedule the party during work hours. This way, employees who have commitments outside of work, like child care or medical appointments, have the opportunity to attend. In some companies there are 2 parties—an in-office party open to a good proportion of the staff—and an after work party for a more intimate crew. This can be a nice way to make sure everyone gets to say their goodbyes and the closest coworkers get to solidify what will hopefully be long-lasting professional relationships with the departing colleague.
Handle the invitations very intentionally, making sure everyone who is appropriate is invited. Beyond everyone in the employee’s department, you may consider inviting other people with whom she works closely, the leadership team, former employees who are in good standing with the company, and colleagues from other companies who have collaborated closely with the employee who is leaving.
Create a slide show with photos and statistics about the departing employees’ achievements. The first time I did this, my colleague was so touched. Beyond getting to share her achievements with others, the slide show was a nice take-home for her to keep—a thing that documented what she had done over the years and the impacts of her efforts.
Have more ideas about how to plan a farewell party? Share them in the comments below.