Six weeks ago I left a professional job, and my co-workers were sad to see me go. About 2 weeks ago, I emailed several of them with my new work contact information, as they asked me to do. It's been days, and only one of them (out of 7 or 8) has responded to my email. It's as though now that I don't work there, they don't want anything to do with me.
I'm trying not to take this personally, but it hurts because this company claims to have such a great, friendly, supportive culture. I'd never in a million years have believed they'd ignore me this way, although I must admit that I heard a rumor (before I left) that the CEO really frowns upon employees socializing with former employees. Huh? Are you kidding me?
Should I just move on and forget about them, and concentrate on making friends in my new position? Should I email them again? What would YOU do in a situation like this?
Serious responses only, please. Thanks!
2007-08-01 01:56:36 · 12 answers · asked by Christie 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Other - Careers & Employment
To answer some questions below - Yes, I did have relationships outside of work with some of these people. They came to my house for parties, went to dinner together, came to my kid's sporting events, etc.
The CEO is not afraid of employees passing on confidential information - he is simply a self-center, egotistical jerk who feels that an employee who has moved on was not loyal and so therefore, he doesn't want current employees to have anything to do with the former employee.
These people were important to me because in a small company of 18 employees, it felt more like a family than your typical work environment. But I guess the joke's on me because in the end, they're really no different than any other company, are they?
2007-08-01 02:28:04 · update #1
Work is just that, work. People that you may think of as friends because you work with them, turn out to really be just business acquaintances. You've just learned this lesson.
Concentrate on your new job and make some new business contacts. You will do fine!
2007-08-01 01:59:47 · answer #1 · answered by kja63 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How old are you? Let it go. We all tend to tell someone that is leaving to keep in touch but honestly we never do unless you were really close friends. Just becaust the company clains to have such a great, friendly supportive culture doesnt mean that the employees do. Did you do stuff with these people outside of work? give it some time and send them an other email let them know how your new career is going and what you've been up to. Yes it hurts to not get a responce but move on you will make more friends at your new job! Hope this helps!
Chris
2007-08-01 09:07:56 · answer #2 · answered by Chris 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is an unfortunate situation. It is kind of like when you are growing up and your best friends dad gets a job transfer and ends up moving to another state. For a week or two your are upset and think to yourself that you will never find a new best friend. After some time you do find that new best friend, not that you forgot about your old best friend, but both of you have moved on.
As far as the CEO not liking former employees talking to current employees that is crazy. Perhaps he feels current employees are talking about things going on in the company that are confidential.
My advice to you is not to forget about these people, they obviously had a postive impact on you if you are upset that only one person responded to you. However, do not e-mail them again; let it up to them. Perhaps make plans for drinks one night with the one person who did respond and see if this person invites the others to come along and see if they do.
2007-08-01 09:07:37 · answer #3 · answered by Eric G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would give them one more chance to answer your emails and if they do not answer you back then they really were not your REAL friends anyway. Also, big deal if the CEO frowns upon people associating with former employees. They are adults as you are but maybe not the CEO. They can do what they want as you should too. If they are afraid of he/she that is their issues and should not stop them from contactin you in general via phone or other email. If they really miss you and care about you and what you have been up to they would make the effort to contact you as you have done for them.
2007-08-01 09:01:29 · answer #4 · answered by lives4music21 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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I did exactly the same thing and then I caught up with some of them for drinks later. I was told the boss had ordered any emails from me be directed to her. I felt like some sort of risk or something. It was not necessary.
If they are good friends you should have their numbers and give them a call. It's too late to say you could have handed them your number on your last day but if they have not contacted you by email it could be that they have been told not to by management.
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2007-08-01 09:02:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you just got to move on. Some people are bad at keeping relationships going without lots of time together, some people are only nice to coworkers because it makes the workday easier, some people only want to complain about their jobs to whoever will listen, some people just don't know what to say...
Whatever the case, if they are really good friends (and I don't think most professionals have many friends who are "really close") they will keep in touch. The rest were just acquiantances.
2007-08-01 09:02:14 · answer #6 · answered by Dude 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you were only on e mail terms with them anyway then don't worry about it too much.Maybe some of your colleagues are on holidays or sick and haven't had a chance to respond.Wait a few more days and then send a cheeky e mail thanking them for their reply. The ball is then in their court and whether or not you get any replies at least you know where you stand.
2007-08-01 09:02:52 · answer #7 · answered by missfattyfudgecake 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you, I would just move on. If there are any former co-workers that care about you, they will e-mail you, or call you, or visit you. If nobody does anything to contact you, then they were not your friends, just your co-workers, and since you no longer work together, they have moved on too.
I wish you luck in your new job!
2007-08-01 16:33:20 · answer #8 · answered by Belindita 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not take it person. People get busy and hard to respond back to e mails and calls at times. There are things in the world. Plus it is summer and people are more active.
You did a very nice thing to stay up to date, but would not take no response as personal.
2007-08-01 09:04:26 · answer #9 · answered by Michael M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should worry about yourself and not worry about that. They may be to busy to reply to you at this moment, or they dont know how to accept the fact that your gone. you should not that the time to worry about little situations like that, of chorse it hurts. Other then that if they not bury and just simple ignoring you, then they were never your friends to begin with. One thing you have to always realize that a work place is not always what it seem to be. Business is Business and your no longer a part of their Business so just more on and continue to grow. like the saying "Dont Go through life but GROW THROUGH LIFE.
2007-08-01 09:04:49 · answer #10 · answered by medgy17 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋