Sooner or later, every business with employees will experience turnover. Use our handy checklist to make sure the exit period is handled well.
- Be prepared - people leave their jobs for a variety of reasons and it is vital you have a policy in place when it happens.
- Determine which day they will actually finish - will they be working their full notice period or taking any remaining paid holiday?
- Work out what projects can reasonably be finished within their notice period and ensure that they are managing them effectively.
- Consider asking them to sign a confidentiality agreement to protect your data when they leave.
- Secure your IT - ensure that access to your systems is suspended and all relevant passwords are changed.
- Reassign work to your existing team until a replacement can be found.
- Ensure the departing employee writes a thorough handover document detailing each of their tasks and including any key contacts.
- Work out the final salary as your employee may be entitled to additional pay for untaken holiday, bonus payments or statutory sick pay.
- Hold an exit interview asking for their honest feedback on their reasons for leaving.
- Ensure any reference you provide is honest, accurate and fair.
- A valued employee's leaving can be stressful, but try to end their employment on good terms - many firms throw a party or buy gifts to say goodbye.
Browse topics: Employment law