When Your Employees Resign

MET • February 19, 2016

No one wants to be rejected. When it happens, we take it personally and go through stages of hurt, anger and resolution.

When your employees leave your firm, you may travel the same path. However, employees typically make a decision to “fly the nest” only after careful deliberation. Therefore, these soon-to-be ex-employees should not be treated as defectors or traitors, but rather as potential future candidates.

When I interview candidates, one of the first things I do is review their professional history with them. Often they tell me that they would like to return to a past employer, but their managers were so angry when they resigned, that they are afraid of being rejected. They would rather work for a different company than be rebuffed.

Don’t overlook past employees who realize that sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side! In this competitive labor market, no company can afford to miss out on a great employee. Try to remember the reasons you didn’t want your employees to leave. Treat their resignations with dignity. Do not insult the decision-making processes that lead them to these difficult choices. Instead, go through a brief but critical process of letting go:

1. Tell them that you respect their decision to leave.

2. Make sure they know if they change their mind, you would be happy for them to stay.

3. If you would welcome them back in the future, tell them.

As a recruiting expert, I caution employees not to burn their bridges as they leave, neither should you do so as an employer!

The Metzner Group Blog

Thanksgiving Pause

By Carol Metzner • December 18, 2025
As a recruiter, I move fast—searches, decisions, conversations that shape careers. But Thanksgiving reminds me to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the bigger picture. Gratitude isn’t just seasonal; it’s the foundation of meaningful relationships and clearer perspective. Each person I meet reminds me of resilience, ambition, and possibility—and that’s what keeps me inspired. Wishing you time to decompress, reconnect, and carry that spirit into the season ahead.

Networking Is A Two-Way Street!

By Carol Metzner • December 18, 2025
We’ve all seen it: a colleague facing a career crossroads reaches out to every connection they’ve built — asking for introductions, advice, or simply a listening ear. Many of us respond, because we understand the stakes. The fear of unemployment or being in a role that no longer fits is real. But then they land. The pressure lifts. And when others reach out to them for support, the response is… silence. In today’s climate, where so many talented A/E/C executives are exploring new opportunities, navigating leadership transitions, or rethinking their next chapter, let’s remember that networking is a two-way street. ✅ If someone helped you during your search, be the person who helps them now. ✅ If you’re in a stable role, take a moment to respond to those reaching out. ✅ If you’re navigating change, lean on your network — but also nurture it. The consulting engineering sector thrives on collaboration, trust, and long-term partnerships. Let’s extend that same spirit to how we support one another professionally. We rise by lifting each other — not just when we need help, but when others do.