This is not the appreciation statement for long service award as you expected after you served your organization for 5, 10 or more years. This kind of award is very rare nowadays.

To me “Thank you for your service” from management is when your service no longer required in the organization. This happens 3 times in my careers.  1st time was whole department no longer required, 2nd time was whole manufacturing plant sold to supplier and this time around is moving the business out of Singapore.

We knew the company is closing down in June, initial plan was shutdown partial operation in August but the plan have changed several times ,retention bonus confirmed quite late in the sense.

After the initial communication session, I have gather all my staff any advise them to look out for new opportunity as soon. I have to let go 3 out of 6 staff I managed.  This is not a fair ratio from my manager I have protested and submit my own name but nothing changed.

I had the intention to leave in the first batch with or without new job offer. I have 1 staff shared the same though. The rest look out for opportunity on their own.  I ran through my contacts and try to ask around for suitable company which need same technical expertise my team possessed. I have even write my staff a recommendation letter to the company interested.

The date for 1st batch is keep speculating in the company. For several weeks the name list is keep bothering my mind. Until 1 of my staff accept new job offer and give my resignation letter in the end of June.  Looks like I have all the 3 names to submit.

On one of the Friday which management need to finalized list.  I have another big headache on the name list again. This time around I have 2 other staffs who is considering the offer and myself also waiting for the last decide from CEO who interviewed me.  Now I have 4 names instead of 3.  And not one willing to stay back even after disclose the retention bonus plan. After many rounds of communication with my staff and management.  (more…)