Burning Bridges - Not The Right Path

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Whatever happened to the idea of not burning a bridge when you leave your employer?  To this day, I still remember my father's advice as I considered my first professional transition from one job to another, "do not burn a bridge, work hard every day".  I have lived by that over the years and have always made a point to provide notice to my employer and maintain my strong work ethic up until I walked out the door for the last time. 

Now, I recognize in today's world that employers seldom if ever provide an employee notice when they plan to terminate or cut back.  I understand the rationale for that and have come to appreciate their position when it comes time to cut someone loose.  I have had to perform such duties over the years.  Never a fun thing to do but it comes with managerial responsibility. 

Having said all that, why has it changed for the employee.  I had a managerial employee just up and disappear in the last week.  He reported that there had been a death in his immediate family.  I offered my condolences and told him to take the time he needed but to please stay in touch.  I received one text message from him indicating that his phone signal was poor because he was in the mountains.  That was the last communication I had from him. 

Truth be told, I do not know if he fell off a cliff, is in the hospital suffering from some terrible accident or whether it was just a good time to take a new position.  Fortunately for me, I have not grown cynical over the years to the point where I believe that the death of a family member was a ruse.  I have to believe that it just happened that way.  This was a grown man with family. 

Nothing happened of consequence in the work place to make him just quit.  No arguments, no confrontations, no written or verbal warning, nothing that would have given him reason to just up and quit.  Actually, he was performing his job in a commendable fashion and working fine with others.  Why does a grown man just up and quit and not announce his intentions to his supervisor.  Did he think I would think less of him?

I am at a loss.  I just don't get it.  Clearly, I understand that there is always a better opportunity out there.  More money, better benefits, great working conditions, nicer boss, you name it and it is there for the taking.  Actually, I have always embraced the idea of wanting my employees do better for themselves.  You hate to see them go and don't look forward to the process of replacing them, but you wish them well and congratulate them on their move.  That certainly would have been the case in this instance. 

I admit that there have been times over my professional career that I would have liked to have just walked away.  Never did.  I always remembered my father's words.  Don't burn a bridge.  You never know when you just might need it.  I'm proud to say that I have never just walked away.  I have had to announce my departure numerous times over my forty plus year career. Sometimes, sharing the decision was difficult but I always mustered enough fortitude to do so.

I feel sorry for him actually.  It is too bad that he felt the need to depart without announcement.  I am not someone who holds a grudge or in this case, takes it personally.  However, I hope for his sake that he never needs to call upon my recommendation or acknowledgement of his work for our organization.  I would not hesitate to let his perspective employer know of how he departed.